A Day at the Wiener Dog Races

Danielle Corteville of Chesapeake Beach with her dog Buttercup.

Absurdity for a humane cause

by M.L. Faunce

When 16 low-riding dachshunds prepared to race, no one in the cheering crowd expected greyhound speeds. If expectations were low, laughter was high as as quartets of mostly young and novice racers broke out of their boxes onto the Astroturf.

Instead of heading for the checkered flag, doxies milled as if at a tea party. With names befitting ladies in waiting, Lily, Rose, Bella and Kaia the hounds battled herd mentality in the first race before getting their bearings to find their beckoning owners at the end of the course. Rose, a red smooth-haired hound from Churchton, took that race. Buttercup, a five-and-a-half-year-old dapple from Chesapeake Beach, and doxies named Doxie and Peanut won subsequent races.

“I threw in the Weiner Dog Race because I love the breed,” said Lynne Gillis, who organized Paws for a Cause to raise money for the all-volunteer Humane Society of Calvert County. “It was so much fun to watch them race at a Dachshund Rescue National event,” added the doxie favorer.

Dogs came dressed for an early Easter Bunny Parade of Pets and to be blessed. Dogs also came seeking new homes as four-year-old mixed breed Zoe, two-year-old Rottweiler Jasmine and eight-year-old beagle Toby led the Homeless Pet Parade.

“I think people came because of the love they receive from their pets and because they want that for other pets who need a home,” said Gillis, who promised a reprise of all the fun next year.

Adopt, volunteer or donate to the Humane Society of Calvert County: 410-257-4908; www.calvertcountyhumanesociety.org.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 by New Bay Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.