Ok, doesn't work with dashes either. O.o
This is the closest I've gotten:
$pagelink = <html><a href="http://caterpillarcave.x10.mx/levelup/stats/<?php{$this->adopt->aid}?>" target="_self" title="" style="font-size:16;color:black;font-family:;text-decoration:none;">Click here to view this adoptable</a></html>