'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 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.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'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.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.