BELLWETHER, Iowa (CNM) -- The divorce of Ron and Patrice Whetstone was proceeding quietly until the couple's attorneys reached Exhibit 14: a spreadsheet listing 3,400 Plushie Pals, with purchase dates, prices and condition of tags.
Each side claims the rarest animals, including a 1997 purple walrus once valued at $2,000. That valuation fell sharply this month after the toys' maker announced it would retire the entire line.
"My client bought the walrus," said Patrice Whetstone's attorney. "Mr. Whetstone held the walrus. That is not the same thing."
District Judge Annette Rydell gave the couple until January 15 to reach an agreement, warning that otherwise she would divide the collection "alphabetically."
MAIN PAGE
