NEWS
It’s Good to be a Wiener*
By Melissa Gilmour
The City of Houston held their annual Spring-fest on Saturday May 22nd which began with the dachshund races at 1:30 pm. The race consisted of the three preliminary races with the winners moving on to the final race.
On what appeared to be the first nice weekend in May, the Texas County Fair Grounds hummed with anticipation for the Wiener 500. With the smell of Barbeque and doggie treats lingering in the air, owners and spectators from near and far gathered to behold the marvelous spectacle of racing dachshunds.
Before the first race began, all the dachshunds of that class were placed with their paws on the neon orange starting line. With the loving calls of their owners ringing through the grounds, the anxious dachshunds we let free to demonstrate their superior speed. Just as they were turned loose, a rush of confusion had the dogs running – not to the finish line, but in all other directions. The calls of the owners grew louder and louder as they tried to coax the dogs to finish the race. One particular owner, in an attempt to gain her dachshund’s attention, called out “Here kitty, kitty, kitty!”.
Just as it seemed all was lost, Willow, a plump little dachshund, recognized the familiar sound of her treat bag being thrashed about and regained her focus on the task at hand. In a flash, she barreled down the lanes to her owner who greeted the winner with a tasty treat. Cheers rose from all who watched and Willow was carried off to race again.
In the final leg of the race, Willow, Scooter, and Scar were placed at the starting line. With their owners at the other end calling their names, these three wieners seemed to emanate a sense of determination. With a word, the dogs we set free to roam, bark, and sniff each other. By this point the loving calls had become loud roars with spectators joining in. Seeming to understand the urgency in the call, the dogs turned the attention to the finish line resulting a successful crowning of the fastest dachshund at the Spring Fest. In first place was Scooter who traveled with his owner Jeremy Shelton all the way from Summersville to participate. In second place was the lovely Willow owned by Nettie Blankenship who came from Salem. In Third place came Scar. Scar and Shanda Postlwait came from Springfield to race in the Weiner 500. All dogs who came enjoyed the open air and the company of the other wieners making this event a huge success.
Melissa Gilmour is freelance photographer, designer, and writer who has a deep love of animals. Melissa owns a dachshund herself and was glad to be a part of the races. You can contact Melissa at: content@bigkonline.com
Willow- Realizing that her owner was holding her favorite treats,
Willow made a mad dash to Nettie Blankenship's arms.
Winner- Jeremy Shelton holds his Scooter in victorious celebration.
Scooter took home a bucket filled with treats fit for a Daschund.
Winners Circle – After the race was over the three fastest Daschunds were named.
Pictured from left to right: Willow-owned by Nettie Blankenship, Scooter-owned by
Jeremy Shelton, and Scar-owned by Shandra Postlwait.
Pampered Chef – Several businesses came to the spring-fest including
the Pampered Chef from Rolla. Randee Cary represented the
Pampered Chef offering free handout and information.
Starting Line- Before the races began, the dog's
trainers held them at the starting line.
Running – This little Daschund has plenty of energy to go
around, and around. Nearly making it to the end of the finish
line he turned in mid stride to run back to the starting line.
Exhausted – After spending all this energy, this
little one stopped for a quick picture.
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Community meetings are held the first Monday of each month at the shelter, 6931 East Highway 17, Houston, MO. All are welcome.
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The "Puppies For Parole" program is in full swing. Inmates at the South Central Correctional Center are helping our puppies and our puppies are helping them. Eight offenders at the center have joined in a partnership with our puppies. The goal is for the offenders to work with the dogs to teach them basic obedience skills and to socialize the puppies to make them more adoptable. At the same time the inmates are learning to accept responsibility and are given the incentive to maintain good conduct records.
After the dogs have completed the program, they are returned to the shelter for adoption and new dogs will be sent to the correctional center for training and friendship. The program has been such a success that additional inmates and puppies will soon be added to the program.
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The Texas County Animal Health Care Day was a big success. It helped to set up the spay and neuter of 54 dogs in the county.
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We would like to thank the Two Mauds Foundation for their generous $3,000 grant to aid in the cost of spaying and neutering and veterinary bills.
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We would also like to thank the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society in Manhattan, Kansas for their donation in the name of Leann Harrell to aide in spaying and neutering of cats in our area.
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Thank you to ROYAL CANIN in Rolla, MOfor their generous donations of their great dog and cat food!!!!!