Mr. Winkle
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Mr. Winkle (born c. 1995) is the name of a very small dog of uncertain breed (possibly Pomeranian/Chihuahua) whose cute and comical appearance has made him a small marketing phenomenon and an international cult figure representing the beauty, charm and potential of homeless animals.
He was rescued as a stray by his current owner, Lara Jo Regan, a renowned magazine photographer, who has had numerous calendars, books and cards published featuring photos of Mr. Winkle in various settings, costumes and poses. By 2009, Regan had created over 150 "What is Mr. Winkle" photographic characters as well as an extensive fine art series of her muse, collected in the form of published works and art prints. Mr. Winkle was dubbed “the cutest dog in the universe” by Regan, fans and the media, and he was possibly the first pet animal in history whose fame was sparked by an artist’s website and viral internet culture. In 2001, Mr. Winkle was named “Internet Celebrity of the Year” by Time magazine’s online publication, at which time mrwinkle.com had garnered over 40 million hits, totaling over 70 million by 2010.
Mr. Winkle has been the subject of many national and international newspaper and magazine articles, and has appeared on various television shows, including an episode of Sex and the City (Sept. 1, 2002). The Mr. Winkle phenomenon was the most visible during Regan's book tours with Mr. WInkle from 2001 - 2005 which often drew over 500 fans at each location, inspiring the producer of Sex and the City to incorporate the unusual phenomenon into an episode where Mr. WInkle upstages the character Carrie Bradshaw at her first book signing.
Bibliography
- What is Mr. Winkle? (2001-2009)
- Winkle's World (2002-2005)
- A Winkle in Time (2004-2007)
References
1. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch, Sarah Casey Newman, Feature, September 6, 2003
2. The Denver Post, Elena A. Jefferson, The Scene, Cover Feature, August 5, 2003
3. The Detroit Free Press, Feature, August 8, 2003
4. The San Francisco Chronicle, Neva Chonin, Datebook, Cover Feature, July 23, 2003
5. The Los Angeles Times, Bettijane Levine, Calendar, Cover Feature, July 12, 2003 6. The Chicago Sun Times, Misha Davenport, Feature, June 13, 2003
7. The San Diego Tribune, John Wilkens, Currents, Cover Story, September 5, 2002
8. The Today Show, NBC, Featured Guest Interview, June 12, 2002
9. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Karen Sandstrom, Arts and Life, Cover Story, June 3, 2002
10. The New York Times, Julie Iovine, Feature, January 20, 2002
11. The Today Show, NBC, Feature Guest Interview, December 14, 2001
12. TVAsahi – Japan - Feature Story, December 17, 2001
13. USA Today, Marco della Cava, Feature, December 3, 2001
14. New York Newsday, Denise Laim, Feature, August 30, 2001
15. The Sacramento Bee, Cynthia Hubert, The Scene, Cover Story, July 13, 2001
16. CNN TV, Feature Story, February 2001
17. ABC Evening News, Feature Segment, January 2001
18. The Dallas Morning News, Michael Precker, Living, Cover Feature, October 24, 2000
19. The Los Angeles Times, Dennis Arp, Feature, September 22, 2000