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We Your Wiener!

On September 24th, VetCare was pleased to attend the 2005 Running of the Wieners, held at the Platt Deutsche in Grand Island. Serving as the track veterinary team for the past several years has been a wonderful way for us to enjoy a fun event with our dachshund patients and their owners.

VetCare staffers hand out pre-race treats, make sure there is plenty of cool drinking water for the dogs and talk to owners about dachshund health issues. Over 140 dachshunds raced in this year’s event, coming from as far away as Washington, D.C. This year’s wiener race also featured booths with dachshund related treats, toys and clothes, and a concession stand offering – what else – hot dogs! The races are always a fan favorite and spectators filled the stands for an afternoon of doggie fun.

Even if you don’t want to race your wiener dog, we invite you to attend next year’s event, as it is a great way to get to know other dachshund enthusiasts and their dogs.

Sadie, a new VetCare patient, attends her first Running of the Wieners with her Mom and Dad. She says that next year, she plans on winning it all!

Maggie has been on a vigorous pre-race training plan, which includes walking several miles per day! Here she is watching her younger, less prepared, competition.

	Deb, a member of the VetCare team, gives some pre-race tips, (and a few treats) to Max and Cole. Notice the “I Love My Wiener” shirt that Mom, Sarah is wearing!
The Weiner Runs are controlled chaos, with eight doxies and their handlers running from one end of an enclosed softball infield to the other. Another handler encourages them to run to the finish line by waving favorite toys or treats. Even the best contestants sometimes have “performance anxiety” and decide that running a straight line is just too boring.
	Deb, a VetCare staffer, just can’t stop playing with wieners!
The Running of the Wieners also features several dachshunds that were in various stages of recovery from disc disease, a paralyzing disease that affects primarily doxies. This is Trixie, who raced using her cart, as her back legs are not strong enough yet. The races are a good chance for VetCare members to get the word out about preventing and treating this terrible disease. Photo: Scott Kingsley, courtesy of the GI Independent.
	Maggie and Molly are veterans of both VetCare and the Running of the Wieners. They are the doxies to beat in the “Senior Sausage” division. Molly, the red dox, suffered a bout of disc disease last year and wasn’t able to run, but after receiving a course of Adequan injections, is back to her speedy self!
Tucker the beagle is here to root on his doxie sisters, but doesn’t understand this apparent discrimination against other breeds of hounds. Can you imagine a beagles only race?
	Mike B and Cole size up the competition in their race. Both of Mike’s doxies made it to the finals this year – way to go Max and Cole! Cole, another Adequan user, also successfully recovered from IVDD, and is doing fine after his treatment.
Maggie is ready to run her race with the help of her handler, Brandon. She credits the Lean Treats she ate before the race with helping her to run like the wind.
	This is Dave, husband of VetCare Tech, Lori, and the shirt she made him wear to the races. If this picture is still on our website, it means he doesn’t know it is here, so shhh, don’t tell him!
This is Benten, Dave and Lori’s doxie. His toy pretty much sums up his personality.	Benten has participated in all of the Doxie races, but decided to “strut” to the finish line instead of run.
This is Sheryl, the organizer of all five wiener runs. She, and her staff of volunteers works tirelessly each fall to make sure every race goes smoothly! VetCare thanks Sheryl for all of her hard work and for letting us be a part of the races – we always have a great time!
	One of the Doxie Run champions! If you would like to participate in next year’s Running of the Wieners, keep visiting the VetCare site. Registration forms, posters and details on the 2006 event will be posted as soon as they are available! We hope to see you there!
VetCare also sponsored the Best of Breed award at the GI Kennel Club Dog Show, held during the same weekend as the Running of the Wieners. Here is the winning daschund, shown with his handler.

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1016 Diers Ave, Suite 119 Grand Island, NE 68803
(next to Whiskey Creek) 308.382.9036