Squeakers, my chiweenie pup, is a fast dog. When he’s called inside for a treat, catches the zoomies, or something grabs his attention in the dog park, he’s a little lightning bolt to his destination. One time a bunny popped out from around the corner of my neighbor’s fence and Squeakers darted off behind him before I could make heads or tails of what was happening. He couldn’t keep up with the bunny for long and stopped when we called his name, but he had some speed in his little legs. So, when I came across a post about a local Wiener dog race, I immediately knew this could be a fun, new experience for both of us.
I’d heard of Wiener dog races before, though I’d never attended or participated, but I quickly learned this one was an all-volunteer fundraising event to promote adoptions and rescues. That was enough to make me sign up but the ridiculously adorable videos and photos posted with dogs on stubby legs running to their humans with some dressed up for the costume competition sealed the deal.
The Wiener derby is exclusive to dachshund’s but they have a category for “Wiener Wannabes” (basically any other smallish dog that isn’t a dachshund) so since Squeakers is only half dachshund, I registered him as a Wannabe. The next event wouldn’t be for many months so I figured with his natural speed and a little bit of training, Squeakers could be a fierce competitor. I was wrong.
On competition day I velcroed the red bandana around his neck, placed my little boy in his box, then waited at the finish line for them to open the gate. I kept telling my husband before our heat that “I think he’s going to win”. I assumed since Squeakers is my little sidekick and loves being close, that he’d dash into my arms at the finish line. That is not what happened.
Instead of a fast dog darting off from his lane and into his mom’s arms, I got a wandering pup going from side to side looking for a familiar face which was both endearing and heart wrenching at the same time. I think the finish line was a little too far for him to easily find me and it wasn’t until he got closer and could recognize my face that he made it back to me.
His performance wasn’t what I expected, but in all honesty, the experience was better and more memorable. The derby organizers had an extra slot in another heat so they offered him another chance and the same thing happened. I learned that day that Squeakers wasn’t cut out for competition, but he earned a participation ribbon and even more of my love.
P.S. His second chance is posted below.