The Skinny Dog Origin Story

Before Skinny Dog was a brand, a company, or even an idea, it was a sight every Oklahoma City resident knew—a family of giant dachshunds marching across the roof of Swanson Tire.

The display went up in the 1960s, thanks to Mary Helen Swanson and her ever-present dachshund. The marketing gimmick was simple and brilliant:

Swanson Retreads — long on miles, low on cost.
Just like Mary Helen’s long, low dog.

The dachshunds stayed for decades, becoming a small but beloved OKC landmark.

By the time they finally came down in the 1990s, I was already part of the Swanson Tire crew. I knew Mary Helen, I knew the stories, and I knew exactly why those dogs mattered.

In 2002 I bought the shop but never changed the name. I didn’t need the recognition.
I wasn’t chasing attention — I was chasing autonomy.

Years later, when I sold the business and looked toward the next chapter, I kept coming back to those dogs. The legacy. The values. The way Swanson Tire treated people.

That’s when Skinny Dog was born — as a reminder of where I came from and the standard I expect of myself:
honest work, fair expectations, and treating people like neighbors.

Today, Skinny Dog stands for:

• Doing things the right way 
• Respecting history and people 
• Clear communication 
• Helping folks move forward without pressure 
• And above all: the pursuit of autonomy
   

The rest, well… is history.

Again.