Dozens of dachshunds race for glory in Bernalillo fundraiser

BERNALILLO — There were Frankfurter, Dinky and Chorizo, to name a few. And they arrived on short legs and long bodies to a hilly turf racetrack outside a feed store in search of victory.

No matter the outcome, every dog in this race was a wiener.

Bernalillo Feed and Chevron, a locally owned animal feed store and gas station, held its inaugural Weenie Dog Races on Saturday afternoon. The event was a fundraiser for the Sandoval County Animal Shelter and, appropriately, hot dogs were sold for 50 cents a pop.

In all, $422 was raised in hot dog sales and Bernalillo Feed matched that pot, for a total $844 donation to the shelter.

Thirty dachshunds entered the competition, with winners advancing to the next round while losers went to find a shady spot to lick their wounds and get a reassuring boop.

The fastest wiener — Albuquerque resident Pippin — won a trophy of a dachshund likeness that says “I’m A Wiener” and a free dog washing station for a year.

Dozens of wiener dog fanatics came out to participate or just watch from the sidelines, wearing dachshund-inspired shirts that said things like “I have friends in low places.”

Frances Garcia, third-generation owner of Bernalillo Feed, said she couldn’t believe the turnout.

Garcia said they decided to do a wiener dog race after reading about them elsewhere and “because they are the cutest ever, they’re so adorable.”

“We just got inspired,” she said. “... Hopefully, we can continue doing this for years to come.”

Mavis Gorley, decked out in wiener dog earrings, sat on the sidelines with her 5-year-old dachshund Finn.

She and her husband, wearing an “It’s all fun and games until someone loses a wiener” T-shirt, caught the wiener dog bug from their daughter.

“We’re excited,” Mavis Gorley said. “... I just think it’s a great opportunity for everyone to get together with just a common theme of ‘We love our dogs.’”

She said her favorite thing about the breed is their personality.

“They have the kindest personality,” Gorley said. “They are just good, loyal dogs and very friendly.”

In the early rounds of the racing, many dogs didn’t get the gist — running back to their owners, or sniffing each other’s butts, or saying “hi” to the many fans. By the third race, it was a dash to the finish line, where owners yelled encouragement.

Some racers, like Penny, came through hardship to get here.

Penny’s owner died recently, and Lynn Siverts, a best friend to the family, said they took in the pup. Although Siverts had doubts that Penny — who was run over by a car years ago — would win, he said, “It’s just cool to see this.”

Siverts added, “My kids, they were all athletes and they’re all grown up, so we’re just like, ‘Now Penny is going to be the athlete of the family.’”

And Penny exceeded expectations, speeding past dozens of dogs to get fourth.

But it was Rosie and Pippin who were the last pups standing. In the lead-up to the championship race, ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All” played over loud speakers.

“Is everybody ready to rumble?” Frances Garcia announced from the loudspeaker as Rosie’s and Pippin’s owners got them in position. “On your marks, get ready, get set — GO!”

Rosie and Pippin were neck and neck to a photo finish, with Pippin winning by a snout.

Pippin’s owners, Stephen Padilla and his partner Cameron Gares, said it felt “really good” to win.

“We knew he had it in him,” Padilla said, scratching their “all star” behind the ears. Gares said Pippin was a natural as they didn’t train much, aside from “a couple times this morning in the backyard.”

Padilla added, “He’s going to get pampered after this. I said if he wins, they all get pup cups.”

Danielle Torres, Rosie’s owner, said, “Came up short, but that’s OK. She’s still happy.”

Danielle and her husband, Robert, said they were surprised she made it so far.

“She was least expected to win. She’s my laziest dog,” Danielle Torres said. Robert chimed in, “Funny thing is, all she does is sleep at home.”

The couple said second place felt great and Rosie will be back next year. Danielle Torres said they would be getting Rosie a 50 cent hot dog to celebrate.