Thanks again for all your input.  I'm gonna make a couple of changes to the design.  I'll go with Saltydog's advice with the collar, and reposition the eyes like canyondiver said.  would some crystal-flash work?
Steelhead- I know some might have a life...

  but one of them lives in the dorm next to mine...
I'll post another pic of the modified whatchamacalit when I get a chance