During my recent sojourn to upstate New York
I discovered an interesting little shop along the main drag in downtown Saratoga
Springs. While my wife and I were on an afternoon stroll, checking out the
shops and the sights we happened upon a bright blue awning with a picture of a cartoon-like dog, inside a
logo that said, "Stinky Dog”. Seriously how could we pass that up? We walked in
the store and were greeted by a pleasant bundle of energy of a woman we found
out later was the owner, Samantha. Her greeting? “Thanks for stopping in, hope
you’re having a Stinky Day.” Needless to say we both giggled. We spent some time talking with the owner and
being one that is curious to a fault I asked her about the origins of Stinky.
She told us he started out as a doodle
that graduated into drawings of Stinky that she
ended up selling, which lead to more artwork showing Stinky in various spots around the globe selling, which eventually grew into an entire line of Stinky
products. The store was definitely an extension of the owner; they both were
bright and cheery. It was filled with all manner of Stinky paraphernalia. Of
course we had to indulge.
My wife picked up a couple of those smelly
things you put in closets and bureaus; these were filled with pine so we could
remember our trip every time we opened our dressers. She also grabbed a sweater for her folk’s
Yorkie. Of course when we got home later he had to try it on and being a Yorkie he already had the adorable thing going for him and the sweater just added to it. However, the look on his face
reminded me of Ralphie from “The Christmas Story”, during the scene when his mom made him try on
the bunny footy pajamas that his grandma made for him. Little Bailey stood in her parents kitchen
and looked at each of us in turn like he was wondering if he was being punished. I imagine
if he could talk he would have told us something along the lines of, “Yo, dude
I don't do sweater vests.” I can relate to the feeling, I managed to
conveniently lose several of those homemade sweaters vests back in elementary
school. As cold as the winters get there in upstate New York he may change his
mind.
For myself, I had to add to the myriad of
t-shirts and coffee mugs we have already; can you really have too many of
those? I think not.
I am really glad we decided to stop in to check
out the store, since it was a fun little interlude in the midst of a fabulous vacation.
The store and its owner were great examples of taking a dream and running with it
by doing what you love and the rest will somehow manage to take care of itself. If you are ever in Saratoga Springs and on the
downtown stroll take some time to experience the Stinky Dog.
Oh, one more thing. Have a Stinky Day.
Original art by Samantha Norwood McCullough
