This has saved my arm!  I use it almost daily for my pittbull who has endless energy.  Where we would go in because my arm was starting to hurt, we now go in when she can't get up, lol.  Love this!  The handle has held up well and so has the ball.  I was worried based on other reviews about her tearing it up so I bought a plastic ball from Chuckit in case that happened.  However, we are still on the original ball.  I do put it "up" when not in use so that she can't tear it up playing around the house with it.  LOVE this thing!  I even showed it to my neighbor when I had to run into his fenced in back yard b/c I threw it soooo far.  It did take a little getting used to since you really can "chuckit".