Long ago, before stars like Lil Bub and Boo were on the scene, a different kind of animal reigned.
He was a dog that chose to go where no dog had gone before.
This dog had strength. This dog had poise. This dog had a tongue that wouldn't stay in his mouth.
This dog was MR. WINKLE.
As the internet was in its infancy, Mr. Winkle captured the hearts and minds of an unsuspecting early-2000's public.
Via cityweekly.net
Mr. Winkle quickly developed a following.
Via mrwinkle.com
Before long, he could barely go out in public without attracting a crowd of adoring fans and paparazzi.
Via mrwinkle.com
Without warning, he was forced to come to terms with his new-found celebrity.
Via mrwinkle.com
Soon he was on tour across the nation, living the life of a rockstar.
Via mrwinkle.com
Mr. Winkle rubbed elbows with some of the biggest stars of his time...
That right there? Betty White.
Via mrwinkle.com
Here he is on the red carpet with Kevin Nealon and Caroline Rhea.
Via mrwinkle.com
Here he's patiently allowing Rosie O'Donnell a momentary embrace.
Via mrwinkle.com
Even the dog from Frasier wanted a piece of him.
Via mrwinkle.com
Groupies on the road were a constant temptation for the young star.
Via mrwinkle.com
"I was just trying to figure out who I really was, you know? But everywhere I turned, there were cameras," Mr. Winkle later said of that chaotic time in his life.
Via mrwinkle.com
"The fans, they only wanted one thing, and what they wanted wasn't who I really was," he said.
Via mrwinkle.com
"They'd come up to me with all of these questions, and all of these assumptions about who I was and where I was from, and it was just exhausting."
Via mrwinkle.com
"All these perceptions, I just lost sight of who I was, and what I was doing with my life," he said.
Via mrwinkle.com
Fame became too much to handle. Like so many celebrities before him, Mr. Winkle developed a drinking problem.
Via mrwinkle.com
"I felt as though I was being buried by my own achievements."
He began missing tour dates, frustrating fans and colleagues alike.
Via mrwinkle.com
The troubled star had some run-ins with the law.
His demons began to take a toll on his health, and Mr. Winkle quickly backed away from the limelight.
Via mrwinkle.com
At the insistence of loved ones, Mr. Winkle quit showbiz entirely.
"I started focusing on what really mattered in my life, family and friends," said Winkle regarding his life after fame.
Via mrwinkle.com
"Do I miss the glory days, the glitz and glam? Sometimes. But I like where I am now in my life."
Via mrwinkle.com
Every once in a while Mr. Winkle will come out of retirement for the sake of a good calendar. His new one for 2014 is available now.
Via mrwinkle.com
Check it out here.
But we'll always remember him as a trailblazer, a star that shone brighter than any before him.
Via larajoregan.com
We will remember him as simply... Mr. Winkle.
Via larajoregan.com
Check out Mr. Winkle's guardian's photos here.
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