Remember Wrinkles the Talking Dog Puppet?

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.