I recall a "fact sheet" with explanations of certain things in the film being given out at the theater. Wish I'd held onto it.
I still chuckle at the clueless film critics back in '84 who were calling it a Star Wars knockoff.
Clearly you've never seen the deleted pug attack scene. ;)
I've seen paintings of battles with a pooch under someone's arm or otherwise looking out of place in a war zone, so there must be some historical precedent behind it.