I slow things down, a thick embrace, often discussed in a hazy space. What am I?

I live on in cartoons of old Your favorite purple pup His passion and his boldness Was quite impressive stuff!

I am not desire, but it’s shadow. Not hatred, but its whisper. The richer you are, the poorer I am. Identify me.

I'm like a chain of land, punctuated by dots of water and sand. If the sea sank by a few degrees, you could conceivable drive across the Keys!

While stepping towards the best thing, which, shall we say, step is the most important?