Pooches compete in races, costume contests to combat hunger

ROUND LAKE BEACH – The Round Lake Beach Petland parking lot transformed into a haven for dog owners as the fifth annual Dachshund Derby kicked off June 24.  Visitors needed to be weary of their footsteps while walking through the crowds, as not to step on one of the many pint-sized pooches that covered the lot.  Dogs donned in extravagant outfits trotted alongside their human companions and visited carnival games, grooming tables, face painting stations, and food and business vendors as music played and Clifford the Big Red Dog juggled at children’s delight.

Petland sponsored the events  to raise money for the Avon Township Food Pantry.  The love and enthusiasm for both the dogs and the cause were apparent throughout the event.

Despite the heat on the sunny afternoon, the dogs walked around in Chicago Bears gear, pearl necklaces and even hooded dragon outfits in hopes of winning the costume competition.

The costume competition was open to all breeds of dogs, and proved to be a fun way to bolster creativity. Lisa Larson of Antioch and her son, Nash, came with their four pooches dressed in hippie apparel.  One of her Great Danes wore a blond wig and a green floral go-go dress, while the others wore pieces of tie-dye and denim.

“I love making costumes for my kid, but he never wears them,” said Larson.  “So, I asked him what we should dress the dogs as, and he suggested hippies.  We thought about a bride and groom outfit, and we also considered dressing them as the Adams family.  We went with hippies – kids just love hippies.”

Larson added that the clan traveled to the Dachshund Derby appropriately in their Volkswagen Van.   They were awarded “Most Extravagant Costume.”

Another avid costume maker is LaTasha Garrison of Round Lake Beach.  Garrison came with her 3-year-old dog named Diamond, whose apparel followed in suit with her name.  She wore a pink and black dress with a bedazzled skull and cross bones on the back, and she wore sparkly clips in her curly tan fur.

“I am a diva and I love making handmade outfits,” said Garrison.

Some owners chose to dress up with their dogs. Emily, 12, and her 7-year-old  West Highland Terrier Arthur were contenders in the contest.  The first time pair from Lake Villa dressed as Batman and Batgirl.

Another little pooch named Holly strutted around in a pink shirt, a lei and a hula skirt.  Her owner, Jean Viirre of Grayslake, said that they were having fun being around all of the other dogs in costumes.

Though the costume competition was open to all, the race was restricted to breeds of dachshunds.  Thirty=six pooches competed in small groups of three, as owners held the dogs at the start and released them to another family member at the finish line, who would cheer, call and coax their furry companions into running down the track.

In the first race, the crowd gathered to watch dachshunds Snickers, Schnitzel and Missy race. Unfortunately, Schnitzel had pre-race jitters and turned right around at the cue to go.  Missy took the lead and won the race.  Winners then moved on to the finals, where a dog named Burt took first place, Blaze took second, and Weiner Dog took third.

While there were many first time racers, Weiner Dog proved that practice makes perfect.  Owner Shawna Grooms of Grayslake said that this was Weiner Dog’s fourth year in the contest.  Last year was the first race that Weiner Dog actually ran down the track. Grooms said the family would go to Tastee Freez for celebratory ice cream, Weiner Dog’s favorite being a special kind that contains a dog treat.

"We love this race, and we love the fact that it is for a good cause," said Grooms.
Many of the afternoon's attendees were  as supportive of the cause as they were of their furry friends.  The benefactor of Petland's Dachshund Derby was the nonprofit Avon Township Community Foundation, whose mission is to meet the unmet food needs in the community. 
The organization is in its third year of business, and feeds 2,400 people per month, equating to 21,600 meals.  The group vaccinated more than 1,200 dogs last year as well.

President Wendy Waren said this was their second year partnering with Petland, and the event was a huge success.  She attributes the success to hard-working volunteers.

“A lot of our volunteers were past food pantry recipients,” Warden said. “They know how valuable that service was to them, so they come back to volunteer their time to help others.  People just get it; they just get what it means to volunteer,”

Circuit Court runner Rupam C. Dave said she loved the merging of Petland and the Avon Township Community Foundation.

“Wendy Warden and her husband have worked tirelessly,” said Dave.  “You have the hunger issue, and you have the pet issue.   Medical research shows that owning pets helps depression; it helps people get moving and to feel better.  When people feel better, they are more productive and they are part of the community.  When people are not hungry, they are able to do more and become happier, more productive people.  It is brilliant to put the two components together.”

Petland Manager and Special Event Coordinator Allison Buttrill put the event together.  Prior to Petland, Buttrill coordinated similar events that merged dogs with fundraising.  Buttrill said that her favorite part of the event was seeing puppies that have grown up and found happiness with their families.

“We see them go home as puppies, and we don’t always see them come back,” said Buttrill. “Everyone is always excited to bring the new baby home, but we don’t see them all joined together and the fun they have later.  This event allows us to see how much fun the dogs are having with their families, and it is fun for our staff as well.”

Warden says she enjoys working with Buttrill, and that their partnership has been successful throughout the last two years, as the two promote and support  each other outside of the derby as well.

“Gratitude is the fuel of life,” said Warden.  “If you just are grateful for what you have and what you receive, people want to come back and be a part of it.”