JULY/AUG 2005

7th Annual Dachshund Reunion in Westport

By Tamara Sevigny

Everyone loves to get together with other people they have a lot in common with. The same goes for dogs. Imagine being a short dog with a long hot-dog-like body. Everything and everyone is so much bigger then you! Wouldn’t it be nice to get together with other eye level hot-dog-shaped pups for a great day filled with playing, games and contests?

Well that is exactly what these Dachshunds did on Mother’s Day. The wind was intense and the sky threatened rain, but these hard-core dog lovers and their hot-dog companions were there for the cause. It was the 7th Annual Dachshund Reunion in Westport.

They had 28 baskets chock full of dog or dachsie items. The brand new items were donated by local stores, web sites and on-lines stores. As with every year this event featured parades with all rescued Dachshunds and their owners, senior Dachshunds, as well as other groups of Dachshunds and their owners. It was too windy for a costume parade or balancing balls on spoons while running, as they normally do each year. Wacky awards were given to all participants. From fastest kisser to waggiest tail to the longest nose, at this event everyone is a winner!

The reunion is held every year at Jesup Green in front of Westport Library in the spring. The event is organized by Shiela Weiss. She started the reunion after being a part of the Dachshund Friendship Day in New York. She represented DCA, Dachshund Club of America, selling tee shirts and other articles featuring the breed in order to raise money for rescues.

Eventually permits were needed for this sort of fund-raiser and despite the huge success they were having she decided to start her own yearly event in Connecticut. She started the event seven years ago to support not only the rescue of Dachshunds but also Pet Protectors.

Now in its seventh year more and more people are attending each year with their short legged pooches. They are looking for a good time and to have the opportunity for their dogs to be a part of such a huge group of Dachshund lovers while helping homeless ones.

If you missed it this year, be sure to get involved next year. Held every year in the spring in Westport, watch our calendar of events for the next one.