Kids’ Toys Were Annoying Then, Too!

Valerie bought this barking and walking poodle toy from the ’50s at a tag sale in the mid-90s, because it reminded her of a similar dachshund toy she’d had as a child. Battery-powered toys were the height of innovation when our poodle was manufactured. We were so pleased that it still works that we didn’t mind sacrificing the large batteries it took to best display it.

Customers were delighted to watch the poodle walk a few steps on a crowded table and bark. Little kids were fascinated, and ladies of a certain age shared memories of having had a similar toy, or of a sister or friend that had one. All Zander had to do was press the button to make the puppy bark, and people took notice. Sometimes the reaction was a combination of both joy and horror, as memories flood back of how annoying children’s toys have always been as the gears grind and the shrill yapping begins.

We sold our poodle on the Sunday before Labor Day, on a day with passing rain showers, the field at the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market was soggy, and the number of attendees and vendors was way down from what we'd expected on a holiday weekend. The lady who bought it said it reminded her of a standard bred poodle she’d had, and was happy to get the toy.

We’re always glad to see one of our more unusual items go to someone who will truly appreciate it, although we’re pretty sure she plans to keep it on a shelf!

This dog is the same kind Valerie had as a child in the 70s.

And here’s the 50s-era poodle we sold in early September.