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Poncho’s Upcoming Journey
By Paul | September 5, 2008
Like most, I found the movie Amélie to be magical and delightful and inventive and wasted no time falling madly in love with the “gamine” Audrey Tautou, (as she is invariably referred). Despite no effort whatsoever on my part she and I did not meet and live happily ever after, but many parts of the movie have remained with me, including the photos of her father’s mysteriously world-trotting garden gnome who appears posing in front of the landmarks of numerous cities.
Wouldn’t it be great for Poncho to do the same? With that in mind we have turned to Lynn Wine, a sculpture major graduate at the Kansas City Art Institute, to create a plush version of the little grouch.
The idea is that Poncho will be sent to a Pooch fan somewhere, anywhere, in the world, and that person will take some pictures of Poncho kickin’ it in front of one or more places that person decides represents their local area. They will send me the pics, and I will post the best one/s on the blog. And they will pack Poncho up and mail him along to another fan who has expressed interest, and the ball will continue. We will create a spot on the blog where those wishing to participate can put up their hands. Obviously we’ll be counting on folks being on their honor to not hang onto Ponch for too long, but to treat him kindly and then release him to the next leg of his journey. My faith in this system is sound, Pooch fans being the highest-caliber ladies and gents known to comics pages.
Here are some photos of Poncho’s Frankenstein-ian creation unfolding.
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Comments
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September 5th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I love this idea to death!!!
I would love to participate! I’ll take him, lovingly, to all the Chicago sites that are well known, and perhaps some other interesting ones as well!
He’ll pose by the Sears Tower, Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, US Cellular, Soldier Field, or perhaps a cute little doggie park…
Lulu
September 5th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Awesome! I too would love to participate! I could take him to some beautiful sites in the lovely Pacific Northwest. The Space Needle comes to mind…how about an apple orchard….or overlooking a breathtaking view of the Kittitas Valley?
September 5th, 2008 at 10:15 am
What a great idea! I would love to be part of this adventure for Poncho and show him the beauty of the Maine Mountains.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Oh yeah, this could be reeeeelllly awesome….
September 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Well I was thinking of taking him to the Space Needle, but if you’ve got that covered I can handle the south end of things… The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, things like that. Love the idea!
September 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I saw him in person yesterday … Lynn did an amazing job. It looks professionally done.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Mike, you could go ahead with the Space Needle. As I was driving to town today, I was thinking of all the places here in Central WA that usually get overlooked and are still totally awesome. Plus that, I regularly travel north of the Everett area and there are some great places there too.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
i’d love to do montreal, canada if he’s allowed to cross the border. also, i could include ottawa and have him visit our parliament if that sounds good. this is an awesome idea by the way.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I think this is a great idea, and I’m in if Poncho can get to PEI, Canada…we have some tremendous landmarks he could visit. (I’d probably have to get him to pose with my own five-pack, too!)
Fun!
September 5th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
WOW!! I was lucky enough to get a chance to see plush Poncho today. He looks awesome so far, soft too. Lynn will have to keep him under lock & key until he’s sent on his first voyage. It will take Poncho fans some serious willpower to part with him.
September 5th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Great idea. I will show him the Field of Dreams, maybe playing catch with a plank.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
There’s an off-leash area at the beach I live by in Melbourne, Australia. Can I take him there? I’ll take a bag to collect any lint…
September 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Would love to have the little fella stop by for a few days.
I’ll show him the sights along the front range here in Colorado.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I live in the Boston area. I can take him to Fenway Park and Old North Church. I have also turned on my Godson in Scotland to Poncho (he owns a valuable out -of-print Pooch comic book). Maybe he can take him to St. Andrew’s.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
how is this going to work?
waiting for Plush Poncho to take his photo in Machu Pichu, Peru, South America
September 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I also live near Boston if we could split it up.
Dan
September 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
He really does look like a foot cast.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Mexico City! Can’t wait! No, make that I’ll wait as long as it takes.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Okay, I DEFINITELY want to be a part of this. What an experience…We have varied history in Litchfield County, CT….The first Law School in the US, in Torrington, John Brown’s Birthplace, Action Wildlife Nature Preserve and across the street Commerford Farms which winters circus animals….I live about an hour from Hartford, where they have Mark Twain’s house…I’m sure I’d think of something interesting…just want to be a part of this marvelous experience….all the places he will go…I’m in!!!!!!!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Okay, sounds like the idea is a hit! The Poncho is almost ready for action. I haven’t seen him in the flesh (in the plush?) yet, but from all reports he’s looking quite fetching. His first photo session is scheduled in Kansas City, where Lynn, the creator (that sounds eerily Star Trek #1 - ish) lives, and then he’ll be accompanying a member of the Universal team home with her to Venezuela on Sept 16, after which he’ll come visit me here in Toronto, Canada. By that point we will have set up a page here on the blog talking about the specifics of the escapade, and where people can more officially put their names up for participation so that we can track Poncho’s bounces from one Pooch fan to the next around the globe. And also a page for the pics as they come in.
I’m very juiced by the enthusiastic responses to our mission! This is going to be sweet!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Sweet biscuits, this is going to be fun!
September 5th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Please count me in!!!
September 6th, 2008 at 5:33 am
I’d love to take Poncho to Fort Henry, in Kingston, Ontario (go Canada!) which is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (see http://whc.unesco.org/)
and if Poncho’s friend in Montreal is unable to go to Ottawa, I can take him there as well (I’m there quite often!)
September 6th, 2008 at 6:26 am
This is such a great idea! I would love to take Plush Poncho around the Peoria IL area!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Put me down for the world’s most famous intersection: Portage & Main in Winnipeg!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’d also love to own a retail version. Marketing! Marketing! Marketing!
September 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am
This idea is great. I also loved the garden gnome in Amelie. I’d love to show Poncho all the exciting sights of Berlin!
September 6th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Poncho at the Alamo, baby!!! Poncho at the hemisfair, Poncho at the Texas state cap…Poncho at a Texas dude ranch? If I can finagle it, Poncho on the back of a trained riding longhorn steer!!! WOW! The possibilities are endless…
September 6th, 2008 at 10:58 am
When when when?????? I can’t wait!!!
Lulu
September 6th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I would like to cover the Washington D.C Area, maybe have Poncho go to the Inauguration or find him in the hot seat being questioned by the Senators of our land…
At least have him pictured by all the monuments and museums
: D
September 6th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Dan
I would be glad to split it up. I live in Salem MA. We can work something out when we get more details.
joelbr
September 6th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Poncho is cordially invited to the photographers’ paradise of Hong Kong, and to my home town of Lewes in the historic South East of England . He could be an honoured North American guest at the Tom Paine festival during July 2009, or he could go barking at the very mad and bad Lewes Guy Fawkes celebrations on November 5th.
During the summer, he could take in the laid back bo ho scene in Brighton, and be snapped at the exotic Royal Pavilion , like Caroline , or go beat up the fruit machines on the Pier with Wolfie
And then there is always London…..
Sound good??
September 6th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Gosh, all my links to great sites and photos were dropped from my post - is there some trick to getting them retained?
September 6th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hi Joel,
I’m in Tewksbury.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see how this all pans out.
This is going to be pretty cool though!
Dan
September 6th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I never noticed before ~ Poncho’s ears, tail and nose are all the same pattern! Rah.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Cant wait for this to start. i’d love to show Poncho around my little old patch of England!
September 7th, 2008 at 5:40 am
I was thrilled at the notion of taking a photo of Poncho on the glass floor of the CN Tower observation deck. Then I read Paul’s comment and realized Poncho “lives” in my hometown!
September 7th, 2008 at 6:44 am
I am in! It will be terrific to have Poncho here in Mexico City!
September 7th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Paul/Phool: Yeah, I’d have hosted Poncho, too, but is there really a need for a “West of Bathurst” view of Toronto, too?
Looking forward to seeing his travels, all the same. A newsgroup I participated in years ago managed to get its mascot into the cockpit of the Concorde (hint, hint.)
September 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
#38 Rosangel, I’m in Mexico City, too. We should cooperate. Estoy en el sur.
September 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
For those Poncho fans who live in the same city, why not plan a Poncho meet-up when he gets to your hometown? Do the scenic photos too, but include pics of the pooch surrounded by his adoring fans.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
i could take poncho up here in anchorage AK, i could drive to denali and take a picture of him infront of it.
September 8th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Send him over to me and I’ll be glad to show him the sights of Copenhagen and Malmö!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I think poncho would like to visit ireland, I’d could show him around dublin.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Poncho is going to be one well traveled canine!!! He’s going to have one of those suitcases with all the stickers on it. In fact, I would like to volunteer to make him a little suitcase and every town he goes to, the suitcase can go with him with another sticker of that town’s name.
Lulu
September 8th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I also plan to do a very lovely portrait photo of him when he gets here. At this rate, it’s looking like somewhere around 2012!! Can’t wait to see everyone’s pix!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Count me in for showing Poncho around the great province of Nova Scotia. Lots to sea(ha ha ha) and do around these parts. Might even be able to arrange a photo op during a flyball tourney!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:10 am
wow, poncho and i would have the greatest weekend in stockholm! that is if he’d be comfortable travelling that far… i’ll have him fly 1st class though
sara (above) and i can take him on a sweden road trip!
September 8th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I want to take Poncho around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico!!! He’s looking awesome!!!!:D
September 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I live in the OC and would be happy to show Poncho the highlights of SoCal. Like Trestles (before it disappears), The Toll Road, the Zeppelin Hangers, and maybe that place with Pluto and the talking mouse.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Paul, a little background please. How did this idea take shape? I know it started with you, but who is Lynn and how did she get involved? Why is someone from the Universal Team accompanying her to Venezuala, and why Venezuala? Just wondering.
Also, this sounds like one of those great stories that should be seen in People magazine or something…..any plans for some media coverage and if so, please let us know in advance! Thanks.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Count me in to show Poncho around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN!
September 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I too would love to show Poncho around Alaska. I can get him up close and personal with some fighter planes and hopefully next year will be able to host him again in S.Korea. For sure count me in!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I’d love to show Poncho around Los Angeles. Count me in.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Wow, still blown away by the huge response to this project! Looks like this has become the more-or-less official list. To answer the above question, Lynn works at Universal Press, so when we were looking for someone to create a Poncho her name came up. Since Poncho will begin life in Kansas city his first shots will come from there. Another Universal employee and huge Pooch fan Carolina just happens to be going home to Venezuela next week and asked if she could take Poncho there, so that’s how that happened. I’ll get him next, and then I will tap people on this list in turn for their addresses to pass on to the next host in turn (so you don’t have to post your addy’s on the web). This is shaping up to be quite a globe-trot!
September 10th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Oooh, can I have him here in good old Blighty! I shall take him to Stonehenge for the Solstice and Avebury and the White horse of Uffington!
September 10th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Me too! Me too! I will entertain him in the north of England - I will show him pit villages, the Sage , St James’s Park (world’s most famous football (soccer) ground) - he can have his photo taken with the Gateshead Angel and perhaps some of our spooky graffiti!
He can sample local delicacies like stotty cake and black pudding sandwiches (he seems to have a strong stomach…).
September 10th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Thanks for the info Paul-sure looks like fun…and a great human interest story to boot. Plus, from what I gather from the posts, could bring together some Pooch Cafe fans who live in the same area, face to face…this is a whole new Pooch Cafe phenomenon….
P.S. How cute was Fish hiding in his sea chest…didn’t see that one coming….
September 10th, 2008 at 6:21 am
What a GREAT idea!! I would love to introduce Pooch to the other dogs that I walk, bringing him along on some fun hikes and doggie parties in the Metrowest area of MA. He would have a wonderful time here before moving on to his next adventure. Pooch rules and I read his daily adventures to my dog, Oscar!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
A fine plan. I’d gladly welcome the little fella to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I’ll introduce him to some cool dogs and cool people (no cat people), and get his picture with a good stiff cup of cowboy coffee. I’m sure he’ll dig the Canadian Rockies, as long as I carry him up there, of course (his tender feet and all). Looking forward to his arrival.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Hi everyone!!! I see so many ppl posting here, it would be nice to see you join us on the message boards too!
All are welcome!
Lulu
September 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Comment 40 - MAXIE: ¡También estoy en el sur! We definitely should cooperate. Please feel free to contact me in rosangelgc at hotmail. Poncho has to come to Mexico City!!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Being in engineering consulting, I’m on the road quite a bit for short trips. I’m sure Poncho would love to check out the red light district in Amsterdam (the cafes there being somewhat ‘different’ from Pooch Cafe) or on the Kjeragbolten in Norway (http://tinyurl.com/3tshh3). Then a relaxing night at a Toronto Maple Leafs game as he watches his hometown hockey team lose again (but enjoying the sushi in the platinum seats).
September 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Poncho in the red light district would be hysterical. I can picture him next to one of those windows!!!
Paul…is Poncho at least 18 in dog years????
Lulu