The Retroist

The Retroist

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember Wrinkles the Talking Dog Puppet?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Remember Wrinkles the Talking Dog Puppet?

Retroist's avatar
Retroist
Apr 10, 2014
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember Wrinkles the Talking Dog Puppet?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Back in the mid-1980s, a delightful addition to the toy scene was Wrinkles, the talking dog puppets. These quirky puppets shared a similar concept to Cabbage Patch Kids, as each Wrinkles puppet was meant to be unique, and you "adopted" them into your life. However, what set Wrinkles apart was the fact that, unlike the Cabbage Patch Dolls, they were puppets. For those of us who were puppet enthusiasts as kids, this made Wrinkles all the more special, and I can proudly say that I was a happy owner of one. Although I must admit, my constant impromptu puppet shows starring Wrinkles might have been a bit much for my mother to endure.

Growing up with mutts as our loyal companions, our furry family members didn't take too kindly to these Shar-Pei puppets, especially Wrinkles. One day, I made a heartbreaking discovery - I found Wrinkles torn to pieces behind the sofa, in the very spot where one of our smaller dogs liked to rest. I was upset and blamed the dog, but as time has passed, I've begun to question whether this was a setup.

Could it be that my mother, unable to bear any more of my puppetry performances, had secretly taken matters into her own hands and removed Wrinkles from the equation? Of course, it's just a whimsical theory, and if only I could prove it, I'd be able to bring the real culprit to justice and grant Wrinkles' widow, Puffy Squirrel, the closure she deserves.

Interestingly, around the same time, I noticed a rise in Shar-Pei popularity in my hometown. It seemed like every affluent individual within a six-block radius was getting one of these intriguing and seemingly standoffish dogs. Naturally, I was fascinated and couldn't resist asking every owner I met, "Was it true that you pay by the wrinkle?" Half of them responded with a yes, while the other half firmly said no.

To this day, I remain unsure if the rumor holds any truth, and in some ways, I prefer the mystery to persist. I like to envision the breeders counting up puppy wrinkles, their eyes gleaming with dollar signs, adding an element of whimsy to the tale. Whether fact or fiction, the story of Wrinkles and the intriguing Shar-Pei breed continues to bring back fond memories of my childhood, full of puppetry and curiosity about the world around me.


Subscribe to The Retroist

Launched 4 years ago
A Retro Podcast, Blog, and Newsletter.
1

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember Wrinkles the Talking Dog Puppet?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share

Discussion about this post

User's avatar
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Did you ever find a quarter painted red and wonder if that red served a purpose? It does.
Feb 11, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
45

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
The Mystery Of The Red Quarters…Solved!
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
6
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Unless you lived in the 1930s or are a fan of vintage comic strips you might not be aware of the attempted Mickey Mouse suicide.
Aug 30, 2017 â€¢ 
Retroist
9

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Remember when Mickey Mouse decided to commit suicide?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Remember when you were a kid, and you would were out roughhousing with your friends.
Oct 23, 2019 â€¢ 
Retroist
4

Share this post

The Retroist
The Retroist
Monkey’s Blood (Mercurochrome) for those boo-boos
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2

Ready for more?

© 2025 Retroist
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Create your profile

User's avatar

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.