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Bag Of Topo Gigio
Posted On Thursday April 27, 2006 By M
This is a bag of Topo Gigio. It was once a Topo Gigio doll. Topo Gigio was the famous mouse on the Ed Sullivan Show.
My grandfather gave me this doll when I was four years old. I remember meeting him at Kennedy Airport. When he went away again I threw a penny in the fountain at the airport and made a wish that he would come back. My grandfather did come back. But, it was complicated because he was mentally ill and ultimately very violent. As a child I blamed myself for the things he did because I made that wish in the fountain. But, I always kept Topo Gigio.
One day, many years later, one of my dogs as a puppy was feeling neglected. While I was at work she climbed up on a chair and pulled Topo Gigio down off the top of my desk. I came home from work to find Topo Gigio completely destroyed on the floor and the room covered in sawdust. It had been a very long day and I crumpled to the floor crying. My dog, feeling terrible, immediately peed all over the place.
We cleaned everything up, but, I could not bear to throw Topo Gigio out. So, I put him in a ziplog baggie. He is now a bag of Topo Gigio.
Tags: chewtoy, dog, doll, grandfather, rat, schizophrenia
Other People's Thoughts
No! Not Topo Gigio! :-(
I was born in Italy, and when we emigrated to Canada, Topo was one of the very few connections I had with a country and a language that were lost to me. My parents were both raised…let’s be charitable and say their childhoods were “abusive”, so they didn’t know how to raise children of their own (being good Roman Catholics, this did not stop them from forging ahead). At the time, I was never permitted to speak with anyone outside the family, so I kept my friends inside my head where they’d be safe. I’d always say goodnight to Topo, quietly, just before I put my head on the pillow. He seemed the only friend I could count on.
I fully understand why you couldn’t bear to throw him out. I wish I could repair him for you (I fix teddy bears and similar old “wrecked” toys, usually soft ones).
Thank you for some reminding me of some of the few sweet memories of have of a horrible time.
– Merri— Merricat Thursday May 4, 2006 #
When I was a little girl growning up in the ‘70’s in Mexico City, I was loved and still love the little mouse. I wish I at least had what you have of Topo Gigio.
— Juana Wednesday August 2, 2006 #
Topo Gigio brings back happy memories of my childhood in Mexico. It is heartbreaking your doll is in pieces but take confort in your memories
— Maria Wednesday December 27, 2006 #
I have Topo figurines that I have collected for many years now. They are very rare. I’m looking to part with them and would love someone who truly appreciates Topo to have them – I have 3 ceramic figurines and 4 plastic dolls of Topo. I swear these are the real deal. Drop me a line if you’re interested in them and maybe we can work out something reasonable financially. stephanie624@earthlink.net is the e-mail address.
— Stephanie Tuesday March 13, 2007 #
Hi there
I have will be launching Topo Gigio tees and sleepwear this holiday 2007 and would LOVE to hear from you. We will be selling them nation wide and hearing from you will only help let the retailers know how nuch we all love Topo!
I will also do bags, bedding etc. as soon as I can.
Let me hear from you! tell me which is your favorite expression from Topo or favorite costume!
palomita@licenzing.com
— Molly Robbins Friday April 27, 2007 #
I am sorry to hear about your story. When I was little I enjoyed watching Topo Gigio on TV. I grew up in Panama and we only had three TV channels. I came across a picture of him a few months ago and showed it to my son. He loves him now and I got him a stuffed topo gigio that talks, on line so that will be his birthday gift. He’s gonna be very happy.
— Ximena Richardson Tuesday May 22, 2007 #
I have a topo gigio collection, I also find him very dear, and comforting.If you would like to have one of my topos I could send it to you.
— connie h Monday June 25, 2007 #
Being a child in California I would watch Topo Gigio on the Spanish channel. I loved the show and it taught me many things. Thank you for sharing you story with the rest of us.
— Laura C. :) Saturday September 1, 2007 #
I Love Topo Gigio! My Topo Gigio Doll stayed in our old house in Mexico. One of our aunts sold everything even my dolls and toys. I always wanted to buy one but no one knew what I was talking about when I asked at the toy stores. A few months ago I went to an indoor swap meet in Woodland Hills Ca. and one of the shops had a ton of Topo Gigios! He came in all sorts of costumes. I was so excited, the man just looked at me as if I was crazy.
— Luni C. Monday September 3, 2007 #
dear M when i read your story i cried. it's the saddest thing ever. i have my topo gigio since 1995, i was born in 1995. it means the first day i was born i had my own gigio. i love it so much. i don't like to call gigio “it“because for me he is a person. you'r gigio club friend “minou”
— allaya yasmine Monday September 10, 2007 #
It’s funny, I was actually looking for a song from Topo Gigio, and I came across your page. Like the rest of these people I would have to say thanks for reminding me exactly what made Topo Gigio such an enjoyable show, friend and overall memory of my childhood. I do believe he taught me a lot of positive things, all while entertaining me and my sisters. I think i will try and find myself a Topo Gigio, and buy the DvD collection so I can show my children, one day. I know it will have the same impact on them that it did on me. Thanks again for sharing your story, I know he meant a lot to you, just like he did to the rest of us.
— Leon Friday October 5, 2007 #
I LOVE TOPO,GROWING UP HE WAS AND IS MY FAVORITE...I WILL SHOW MY GIRLS ALL ABOUT HIM.
I LOVE YOU TOPO GIGIO!
— Frances Alvarez Friday December 21, 2007 #
Sad and Sweet story about Topo.
Just tonite I received a Christmas present from a friend that shops at dumpsters. He found Topo in a night shirt and hat along with a Topo friend a girl with long hair. Does anyone know about Topo Girl?
— tati Friday December 28, 2007 #
Topo would often speak of his girlfriend, Rosey, during appearances on the Ed Sullivan show.
— Xysuthros Sunday December 30, 2007 #
I had a Topo Gigio bank that was broken years ago (70s) and I remember how sad I felt. Today, I have a little plastic figure of Topo Gigio that has been with me since the 70s. He has traveled eveywhere with me (military). Today, I keep him in my bathroom cabinet and say good morning everyday. One of the few things I have left from my childhood… I love that mouse!
— Laura Saturday January 5, 2008 #
I found your story because I decided to Google Topo Gigio after reminiscing with my brother last night. We explained to his kids who he was, and how our whole family used to go around saying “Eddie, keesa me good night” We, too, had a Topo Gigio doll, that was ceramic with a bobble head. My brother remembers how heartbroken he was when it broke, and he actually gave it a funeral and buried it in the back yard! He remembers the exact spot.
— Gail Monday January 28, 2008 #
I loved Topo. He made me laugh always & sometimes cry. I wanted to hug him & see him all the time. What a wonderful little mouse with a heart like a lion. I will always miss him.
— Jan Wednesday February 6, 2008 #
I loved Top Gigio!
He was my best friend growing up.
I’m sorry to hear about your bag of Topo.
I know what it’s like to hang on to something so dear to your heart.
I had one when I was a little girl and lost Topo when we moved.
My sister gave me one recently on Valentines Day.
She found Topo, in mint condition, at a flea market.
I’m sure you can find another Topo too.
It won’t replace the one you have but at least you’ll have second best and his cute little face looking at you.
Kind regards,
—Irene Monday February 18, 2008
— Irene Marin Monday February 18, 2008 #
Topo Gigio reminds me of my childhood in Peru… I was glued to the tv whenever he was on… my favorite silly mouse.
— Melissa Monday April 14, 2008 #
I grew up watching Topo Gigio on the Ed SUllivan show, he was the highlight of the show….
— Toni Loisi Friday May 9, 2008 #
I never knew so many people loved Topo the way I did and do. My Mom was in a cab in Italy and saw a Topo (in a painted on Italian soccer uniform) hanging from the rear view mirror of a cab. My Mom told the cab driver how much her daughter loved the little mouse. The cab driver took the little mouse off the chain hanging from the mirror and handed him to my Mom. The driver said “I hope your little girl will enjoy Topo in America as much as our children do here in Italy”.
When my Mom returned from here vacation, she pulled the little Topo out of her purse and handed it to me telling me the story. She said the pure joy and excitement on my face, was as if she had given me a puppy. Needless to say, I carried Topo everywhere with me. I talked to him all the time and he slept under my pillow(his face exposed of course). Sadly years later my Mom was taking some of our older games and toys to the hospital thrift shop. I think that was the time I never saw him again. : ( Even several decades later I still tear up over the loss. I wish there was a web site where we could go and find vintage Topos. I’m so sorry for all who loss there little friend. I try to imagine another child holding him and loving him the way I did. “I love you Topo and I still miss you” If anyone knows where I can find little Topos PLEASE email me!Carma – tocarma@aol.com
Tahoe City, CA
— Carma Sunday September 27, 2009 #
I am reaching out as a plea for help and an act of kindness,i am desperatly searching for an original topo.He is for my mother, as a young child in the 70s the last toy her mother gave her before sadly passing away was a foam type topo which had wire inside to bend his arms and legs,sadly she told me she loved him so much as this was a last conection to her mother,my grandmother he fell apart and disintergrated!! she tells me she closes her eyes she can still smell him.i would love to find her some kind of replacement,so if you think you may be able to help me in the slightest or point nme in the right direction i would be eternally gratefull my e mail is star.90210@hotmail.co.uk many thanks a hopefull sasha, england uk.
— sasha Saturday December 5, 2009 #
How nice to read all these stories about Topo. At 46 I still have a few of my childhood toys that meant a lot to me. I am such a packrat. It makes me smile when I know others have similar fond childhood memories. I found this page because I also came upon a page I had saved from a tv guide probably ten years ago, that had a picture of Ed and Topo. It is funny when you think about all the cool stuff you can research and have in common with others.
— Alison Thursday February 25, 2010 #
The Saddest Thing I Own is a 2005 commission of New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc., (aka Ether-Ore) for its Turbulence web site. It is supported by the Jerome Foundation in celebration of the Jerome Hill Centennial and in recognition of the valuable contributions of artists to society.
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