Submitted by Lisa Charland
ABILENE-One of the most popular events at Flour Power Family Fun Fest has gone to the dogs.
The Hippie Hound Wiener Dog Jog, happening at 9 a.m. this Saturday at the Abilene Fairgrounds, is an event that will make you laugh and cheer for your favorite dog to the finish line. Do you have a wiener dog? Bring him or her to compete. Don’t have a wiener dog? Come and watch this fun-filled event with your family, or bring your dog (all breeds welcome) to compete in the Dog Fashion Show. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. that morning.
The Hippie Hound Wiener Dog Jog is Deb Duckwall’s brainchild. She got the idea to do the race at Flour Power after bringing her daschund, Frankie, to a similar race in Kansas City.
“It’s like they’re little greyhounds, or they think they’re greyhounds. They run as fast as they can and it’s a hoot,” Duckwall explained.
According to Duckwall, Daschunds’ natural instinct is to run. They originated in Germany and were bred to chase down burrow-dwelling animals such as gophers and badgers. They come in different sizes and can have short, long or wired hair, but their most distinctive features are their long, narrow snout and body, which gives them their “wiener dog” nickname. They also happen to be extraordinarily cute.
Dogs don’t have to be American Kennel Club (AKC) registered, Duckwall said. As long as the dog looks like a “wiener dog” he or she is eligible to race. The race will have a number of heats depending on the number of dogs entered, and the winners of each heat will race in the final heat. Prizes will be awarded and each dog owner will receive a gift bag with free dog goodies from Paws-N-Claws Pet Store.
Duckwall plans to add more fun to the event this year, with dog fashion shows between heats.
“We’ll have categories- large, medium, and small dogs. Wiener dogs will have their own category,” she said.
Duckwall and her husband, Lease, have two daschunds, Frankie and Ginger.
“They’re classy dogs and are very social,” she said.
Owners are reminded to be sure that their dog has had all its required shots. Dogs must be on a leash when not racing. All rules and registration forms are available at http://www.caringforyou.org/flour by clicking on “Wiener Dog Jog.” Registration is $25. There is no fee to participate in the dog fashion show.
Duckwall encourages people to come to the event and enjoy the other activities at Flour Power Family Fun Fest that weekend.
“Even if you don’t have a wiener dog you will enjoy this event and laugh and laugh and laugh,” she said.
The Hippie Hound Wiener Dog Jog is sponsored by Abilene Animal Hospital, Midwest Greyhound Supply, and Paws-N-Claws Pet Store. All proceeds from the event will benefit Memorial Hospital’s Digital Mammography Equipment Project.