'Bizarre' doll discovered behind Oak Bay wall connected to former German toy designer
A song about exploring the Northwest Passage was playing over the construction site speaker when Will discovered something unexpected behind a wall that made him shriek.
“But in excitement,” Will clarifies, before laughing. “Not eeek!”
Will had uncovered many things during renovations before, including a licence plate from 1914. But the owner of Shane Murray Contracting says Will’s reaction was different this time.
“He thought here’s an animal [behind the wall],” Shane says. “A scary animal.”
But Will’s fears subsided when he took a closer look and realized the creature was clothed.
“It’s kinda scary,” Will says, considering the character’s turned-up nose and disheveled hair. “But kinda cute too”
And definitely a mystery. So Shane posted a picture of the doll from the wall on social media, searching for answers.
“People said, ‘Bury it right away,'” Shane says, summarizing the scared responses. "'It’s the beginning of the end!'"
Others said “freaky,” “bizarre,” and “trigger warning,” before a woman named Ines posted a picture of a similar looking doll on display in her home.
“Mecki is an absolute icon,” Ines smiles. “He’s a hedgehog!”
She says Mecki was the equivalent of Mickey Mouse for generations growing up in Germany.
“A lot of children loved this figure,” Ines says, before laughing that there’s no need for anybody to be scared of him.
Ines says one of her happiest memories as a child was watching the animatronic window displays created by the company that made Mecki.
“We would just stand mesmerized in front of it,” she recalls. “And as it so happens, my husband ended up working for [the company]!”
Klaus created the sets for the Steiff toy company’s 25-metre-long displays, transporting Mecki and his friends to fantastical places, ensuring the mood was playful and the architecture accurate.
“Keep in mind this was before you could Google everything,” Klaus says, showing me photographs and drawings of his past productions. “Either you knew the [details] or you didn’t.”
Looking back on his elaborate designs, ranging from jungle adventures to Wild West towns, Klaus says the best part was sparking children’s imaginations.
“I think it’s the best job I ever had in my entire life,” he smiles, before showing me a huge hot air balloon that he made with Mecki riding inside.
Which brings us back to the renovation site, where Will was also inspired to build something for Mecki – a tiny house created from construction scraps.
It’s a transitional space with a bed (made from COVID-19 masks) and a beverage (a Starbucks coffee cup), where Mecki can acclimatize to his inevitable life beyond the wall.
“We’re looking to adopt him out,” Shane smiles.
If not his original owner, they hope their Mecki can find a little person with a big imagination. Someone who’s hankering for a hedgehog that’s no doubt hungry for adventures to the Northwest Passage and beyond.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.