It started with two dogs.

But the pack of stuffed canines that frequent the corner of Center and Fourth Street in Coupeville has swelled to nine over the last two years.

Popular with locals, the display adds a bit of whimsey to Coupeville’s small-town feel.

“If I don’t put them out everyone goes, ‘Where’s your dogs?’” said Randy Thiesfeld, who puts them out nearly every morning and takes them in every night.

“They don’t ask how I’m doing. Everybody loves them.”

Thiesfeld was raised in Coupeville and points to a nearby house when he describes the house he was born in.

Having worked for 30 years as a concrete mason across the country, Thiesfeld returned to Coupeville about four years ago when his health took a turn for the worse.

Despite a couple of health scares, Thiesfeld said it’s obviously not his time to go.

“I’m still here,” Thiesfeld said. “Raising hell.”

Thiesfeld’s sister, Loann Gulick, who also lives in Coupeville, said she always hears people ask about the dogs.

“When they walk their dogs, (the dogs) start barking,” Gulick said. “Everybody loves the dogs.”

Thiesfeld said he simply started to put the dogs out from time-to-time on a whim. But then he started to get stuffed animals from both friends and strangers, who would drop them in his yard.

Thiesfeld said he’s open to other donations.

“I guess I’m the stuffed-animal WAIF guy,” said Thiesfeld, referring to the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation which helps stray dogs and cats find homes.

His pets, each with their own unique personality, are better than the real thing, Thiesfeld said.

“It don’t cost me a thing to feed them, you don’t have to clean up dog poop,” Thiesfield said.