Jassy
Well-known member
Wiener dogs compete in Wyoming
IAN ST. CLAIR
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
WHEATLAND, Wyo. — Yes, it is completely unorthodox.
And to be honest, it's downright bizarre.
Nevertheless, it doesn't take away from the fact that the Dachshund Derby this month at Wheatland's Lewis Park was still a wiener of a time.
Owners gathered from Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska to see who has the quickest wiener dog in the tri-state area.
And on top of it all, the proceeds from the near 40 entrants benefited the Platte County Nursing Home.
So not only did it provide the perfect excuse to get out with one's wiener dog and have an enjoyable, relaxing couple of hours, it served the greater good as well.
If only every excursion was as fun.
"I'm amazed by how many people from in town have shown up and how many people from out of town have shown up," said Wheatland's Kristen Jones with her dachshund, Dixie, right by her side. "This shows the people from town and the ones who made the trip are really supportive of what we're trying to do."
Not one of the owners would dispute the fact they love their dogs — and love any excuse to show them off. But gather 40 in a single place, and that attitude goes up 10-fold.
"It's about how cute they are more than anything else," Jones said. "My husband thought I was nuts when I first told him about this. But he's coming around and he understands it now.
"It's more about the love of the dog than winning or losing. And the way they run is pretty funny too."
While they do have an obscure relationship with their dogs, the owners are — for the most part — caring and warm people. Hence the inspiration behind the derby that was founded, sponsored and directed by Wheatland's Linda Szymanski.
"I am amazed by how many dachshunds have shown up for this," said co-sponsor Jim Hawley, also of Wheatland. "We had gone to a couple of races last year in Nebraska, and we decided to open our own here and it worked out.
"Now that we got it up and running, we plan on doing this every year. And just like everywhere else that does this, it should grow exponentially."
Matthew Hurt from Cheyenne is one who said he plans on being there every year to ensure that happens.
A 6-year-old who has had his puppy, Cookie, for only a month, he convinced his parents he had to enter the derby once he found out about it.
And judging by the ear-to-ear grin adorning his face and the way he was embracing Cookie following the "kids run with your dog" race, he couldn't have been happier.
Before to seeing Cookie, Hurt wanted a Chihuahua.
"I'm just glad I won three races," he said afterward. "And that I got these three ribbons too. This was so much fun, and I can't wait for next year."
The 40 or so dachshunds were separated into three categories by age with no more than six dogs in each heat. The top two placers from each heat advanced to the championships.
The first group, the Little Sizzlers, was made up of dachshunds ages 1 year and under. The second group, ages 1 to 5, was called the Oscar Myers. And the last group, ages 5 and over, was the Aged Bratwurst.
Prizes and ribbons were handed out to the winners as well as the dogs that finished in second and third.
But as Jones said, it's more about the love of the dog and, of course, helping others.
Next year's derby will be held Sept. 8. Registration already is under way.
Next year's benefactor is Project Safe. And according to Szymanski, the hope is to have even more dachshunds and their owners registered than this year.
"I went to the Kimball (Neb.) race last year," said Janet Reifschneider of Cheyenne, whose dog is named Fritz. "So I must be on the mailing list.
"But Fritz just loves to be outside and to run around. I'm looking forward to next year and seeing how many people come and bring their dogs because this really is an enjoyable time."
No matter how completely unorthodox it may be.
:lol: Now you two need to tell lilly that you want to enter that race and come on up here!!!!
IAN ST. CLAIR
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
WHEATLAND, Wyo. — Yes, it is completely unorthodox.
And to be honest, it's downright bizarre.
Nevertheless, it doesn't take away from the fact that the Dachshund Derby this month at Wheatland's Lewis Park was still a wiener of a time.
Owners gathered from Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska to see who has the quickest wiener dog in the tri-state area.
And on top of it all, the proceeds from the near 40 entrants benefited the Platte County Nursing Home.
So not only did it provide the perfect excuse to get out with one's wiener dog and have an enjoyable, relaxing couple of hours, it served the greater good as well.
If only every excursion was as fun.
"I'm amazed by how many people from in town have shown up and how many people from out of town have shown up," said Wheatland's Kristen Jones with her dachshund, Dixie, right by her side. "This shows the people from town and the ones who made the trip are really supportive of what we're trying to do."
Not one of the owners would dispute the fact they love their dogs — and love any excuse to show them off. But gather 40 in a single place, and that attitude goes up 10-fold.
"It's about how cute they are more than anything else," Jones said. "My husband thought I was nuts when I first told him about this. But he's coming around and he understands it now.
"It's more about the love of the dog than winning or losing. And the way they run is pretty funny too."
While they do have an obscure relationship with their dogs, the owners are — for the most part — caring and warm people. Hence the inspiration behind the derby that was founded, sponsored and directed by Wheatland's Linda Szymanski.
"I am amazed by how many dachshunds have shown up for this," said co-sponsor Jim Hawley, also of Wheatland. "We had gone to a couple of races last year in Nebraska, and we decided to open our own here and it worked out.
"Now that we got it up and running, we plan on doing this every year. And just like everywhere else that does this, it should grow exponentially."
Matthew Hurt from Cheyenne is one who said he plans on being there every year to ensure that happens.
A 6-year-old who has had his puppy, Cookie, for only a month, he convinced his parents he had to enter the derby once he found out about it.
And judging by the ear-to-ear grin adorning his face and the way he was embracing Cookie following the "kids run with your dog" race, he couldn't have been happier.
Before to seeing Cookie, Hurt wanted a Chihuahua.
"I'm just glad I won three races," he said afterward. "And that I got these three ribbons too. This was so much fun, and I can't wait for next year."
The 40 or so dachshunds were separated into three categories by age with no more than six dogs in each heat. The top two placers from each heat advanced to the championships.
The first group, the Little Sizzlers, was made up of dachshunds ages 1 year and under. The second group, ages 1 to 5, was called the Oscar Myers. And the last group, ages 5 and over, was the Aged Bratwurst.
Prizes and ribbons were handed out to the winners as well as the dogs that finished in second and third.
But as Jones said, it's more about the love of the dog and, of course, helping others.
Next year's derby will be held Sept. 8. Registration already is under way.
Next year's benefactor is Project Safe. And according to Szymanski, the hope is to have even more dachshunds and their owners registered than this year.
"I went to the Kimball (Neb.) race last year," said Janet Reifschneider of Cheyenne, whose dog is named Fritz. "So I must be on the mailing list.
"But Fritz just loves to be outside and to run around. I'm looking forward to next year and seeing how many people come and bring their dogs because this really is an enjoyable time."
No matter how completely unorthodox it may be.
:lol: Now you two need to tell lilly that you want to enter that race and come on up here!!!!