Meet Wink: The One-Eyed Wonder Who Stole My Heart
- MK Pegues
- Nov 15
- 3 min read
If you’ve visited the gallery lately, you may have already met my newest, fluffiest team member, Wink, my six-month-old Shih Tzu–Pekingese rescue with one very expressive eye and a whole lot of heart. He trots around greeting visitors, supervises art installations, and occasionally performs zoomies through the gallery.
And if you haven’t met him yet… you absolutely should.
Wink considers himself the unofficial greeter of The Good Art Company, and he takes great pride in offering a warm welcome. He loves new friends, and honestly, meeting people is his favorite part of the job.
But before he became my sidekick and the gallery’s most popular employee, Wink had quite a journey.
Wink’s Rescue Story
A few months ago, this tiny, gentle soul was found on the side of the road in Austin with a serious eye injury. A good Samaritan saw him, scooped him up, and rushed him to an emergency vet clinic. The vets determined his eye needed to be removed — and even with everything he was going through, they said he was nothing but sweet.
From there, Austin Pets Alive stepped in. They covered his surgery, cared for him through recovery, and worked tirelessly to find his owners. But no one came forward.
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could dump such a loving, trusting little dog. Wink absolutely adores people, all people, and he’s equally obsessed with dogs, cats, and children. He’s the kind of pup who loves everyone instantly and wholeheartedly.
The fact that he went through all of that, yet still leads with joy? It gets me every time.
A Little Light After a Hard Year
Many of you know this past year has been a heavy one for me personally. I won’t drag that into this story, because this is really about joy, but I will say this: adopting Wink felt like life handed me a little bit of healing wrapped in fur.
He has this way of looking at me, even with just one eye, that feels like he’s saying, “It’s okay. We’re okay. Let’s keep going.”
And that has meant more than I can put into words.
Our Days Together in Fredericksburg
We start almost every morning with a walk through Marktplatz, where Wink sniffs every single tree like it’s his first day on Earth. Then he comes to work with me at the gallery, ready to charm collectors and take his spot behind the desk like he’s on payroll.
He brings a softness to the space, a little burst of happiness that visitors feel immediately. And if you’re lucky, you may be present for the famous Gallery Zoomies, short but spirited.
After closing, we often wander to a tasting room off Main Street to unwind. Wink loves the patios, the fresh air, and of course, the compliments from strangers (he lives for those).
The Sweetest Kind of Inspiration
Wink reminds me daily that love, resilience, and a second chance can change everything. His story and the way he’s embraced his new life have inspired me in such a simple, beautiful way. So in his honor, and in honor of all the pets who pull us through life’s toughest seasons, I’ve curated a special collection of animal-inspired artwork now at The Good Art Company.
Because animals make us better, and sometimes the very best art comes from the creatures who remind us how to feel again.
Thank you for reading Meet Wink: The One-Eyed Wonder Who Stole My Heart. To keep up with our latest art additions and all our artist's works follow us on Instagram and YouTube. And visit our Online Art Shop daily for new available artworks.
