Hi, well I wanted to make a nostalgic pet, so I got the instructions, went to see Vanya, got the requested stuff, handed it over, but then he asked for a potion of life or a bottle of something I didn't read right (Panic mode makes me squint...) I didn't have one, froze and ended up with a toy that is probably most definitely dead and not a pet....

What didn't I do?! Or do wrong?

It's not your fault! What he says isn't very clear at all. The item you need is .

Brilliant! I'll just go try that again...(and thanks so much!)

Just note it will change your active pet. Good luck

Yeesh! Got the item, got more instructions, went to Vanya, bought the items, he asked for a magic potion/life essence, nothing lit up at all, couldn't give him anything else...got another toy.

If you have the essence and the toy in your inventory, go back to his workshop, and it should let you select the toy to combine them and change your pet.

Yay! It did! Thanks for helping ( I thought I'd be here all night, buried under a pile of sinister toys while Vanya studiously ignores me and reads a newspaper...)

I had the same moment of panic that you did when I made my nostalgic pet! I wish Vanya was more clear instead of sounding like you've failed when you make the toy and don't have the Essence of Melody on you >o<