LADY BUG…The DOXIE WITH MOXIE

Katy Cable
Jul 20, 2017 · 5 min read

Don’t Overlook A Dog With Special Needs

By Katy Cable. TWR
A 3 min. Read

I just LOVE ❤️ a “feel-good” story! Something truly uplifting that renews your spirit. I hope this melts your heart as much as it did mine. Get out your tissues…

Meet Lady Bug, a 3 1/2 year old Dachshund who resides in Redondo Beach California.

Lady Bug is anxiously awaiting a dream nobody ever saw coming. This Saturday she will compete with 90 other Dachshunds in the 22nd Annual Weinerschnitzel National Weiner races being held at the Los Alamitos Race Track.

What’s the big deal? Well, life wasn’t always a fun day at the races for Lady Bug. On New Year’s Eve 2014, Lady Bug, just a tiny, 6 month old puppy was abandoned at the front door of the Riverside Animal Shelter. This little pup was unable to walk properly, dragging her useless hind legs. It was determined she was severely handicapped and she was scheduled to be euthanized. Fortunately, Dachshund Rescue of Los Angeles (http://dachshundrescueoflosangeles.com/) came to her aid. They placed Lady Bug in a loving foster home where she got the love and care she so desperately needed.

Lady Bug was taken to CARE (California Animal Rehabilitation Center: http://www.calanimalrehab.com/) where Deanna O’Neil, DVM saw potential. Dr. O’Neil worked tirelessly to help Lady Bug regain some use of her hind legs. Using underwater treadmills, weight resistance and a plethora of other exercises, slowly Lady Bug began to gain strength and full use of her hind legs. First it was a few small steps, (think Bambi out on the ice) and eventually Lady Bug not only was walking again but barreling up and down ramps, stairs and chasing tennis balls.

All the hard work and dedication paid off. Not only could Lady Bug walk, run, chase balls, play and lead a carefree normal dog’s life, she’s fulfilling a dream that once seemed FAR-FETCHED indeed: to run alongside the “fastest Weiners in the West” competing for the championship title of SoCal’s Top Dog. Whatever happens, Lady Bug is already a winner for not only can she walk again, but she was also adopted by none other than Dr. O’Neil, the vet who believed in her and made this all possible.

This Saturday, (July 22nd 2017) the Wienerschnitzel Wiener National festivities will get underway at approximately 6:30 p.m, with over 90 dachshunds strutting their stuff in front of a packed house at the Los Alamitos Race Track.The event will coincide with a live horse racing program featuring Los Alamitos’ top race horses. The Wiener Nationals Championship race will be held at approximately 9:15 p.m. The winning Weiners of the 10 trial heats (50 yards) throughout the evening will be advancing to the championship race. The 2017 Champion will take home $1,000 in cash and a custom Weinerschnitzel dog house.

Also competing to defend titles are: 2016 champion Darcy, from Banker’s Hill, who became the youngest winner at just two years of age. She won the title in spectacular form going nose-to-nose to edge out 2015 champion Finn of Lawndale. Finn, now 4 1/2 years old, who has qualified for three consecutive finals, will look to become one of the elite with a second championship title. This fan favorite who is recognized for his love of an oversized multi-color beach ball is gearing up for another run at glory.

“After a disappointing 2nd place finish last year, Finn redesigned his diet and training regimens to include paleo and ween-fit — in hopes of redeeming his Fastest Wiener in the West title,” said pet guardians Brittany and Josh Snook. “He’s ready to rally Finn Nation and come back with a Finn-gance!”

From the bugler’s call to the post, to an official starting gate and colorful owners and trainers racing their doxies in numbered silks, the Wiener Nationals features heart-pounding excitement from beginning to end. Throughout this fun family night, dog lovers can meet-and-greet the evening’s stars — the mighty wiener dogs — and their trainers/owners on the grandstand area.

The purpose of this fun event is to raise funds for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-profit group dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area. Since 1996, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals has helped raised over $240,000 for the Care Center. The Seal Beach Animal Care Center will sell tickets to the event as well as commemorative T-shirts with all proceeds from these sales going directly to the Center. For more information on the Care Center please call (562) 430–4993. http://www.sbacc.org/

In addition, tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event at Los Alamitos Race Course on a first come first seat basis. Admission at the track is $3 for adults; Children 17 and under are free. General parking is free. VIP packages in the Vessels Club, the track’s gourmet restaurant, are also available. Los Alamitos Race Course is located at 4961 Katella Avenue in Los Alamitos. For more info call 714–820–2800 or online at LosAlamitos.com

I for one can’t wait to watch the excitement! I am certain to have tears streaming down my cheeks (more like ugly-cry raccoon eyes!) when Lady Bug dashes out of the gate. You can bet on one thing, whether Lady Bug takes home the 2017 Championship title, or finishes last in her qualifying heat, isn’t important. She is already the “Top-Dog Winning Champion” in my book.

If you can get out to the Los Alamitos Race Track this Saturday, come join the most anticipated race on four stubbly legs. If not, there’s a few important messages that can be learned from this story. First, never underestimate the resilience of a dog! With some love and attention they can bounce bank from incredible hardships and ills. I hope more people take a chance and adopt an older pet or one with a disability. If you can open your heart to one of these special needs dogs, I’m sure you’ll be loved and rewarded in ways you never could have imagined.

Let’s also try to take on life with the determination, resilience and “can-do” attitude of Lady Bug. Forget the excuses, the critics, the self-doubt and GO FOR IT! If it seems impossible, remember little Lady Bug, Whether she’s named the “Fastest-Weiner-in-the-West” or not, one thing’s for sure: she’s come a long, LONG way and she’s “The Doxie With Moxie!” GO LADY BUG!

Pugs and Kisses! 😘🐾​🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭

https://youtu.be/OH5zl_oglzg

About Wienerschnitzel: Founded by John Galardi in 1961 with a single hot dog stand in Wilmington, Calif., Wienerschnitzel
(www.wienerschnitzel.com) is a bona-fide pioneer of the quick-service food industry. The world’s largest hot dog chain serves more than 120 million hot dogs annually and is famous for its delicious proprietary chili recipe. Based in Irvine, Calif., Wienerschnitzel operates or franchises 350 stores in 10 states and Guam. It is part of Galardi Group, which is also the parent company of The Hamburger Stand and Tastee Freez LLC

Social Media:

Hashtags:
#WienerNationals
#ImAWiener
#LosAlRacing

Social Channels:

Twitter: @wienerschnitzel and @losalracing
Instagram: @wienerschnitzel and @losalracing
Facebook: Wienerschnitzel
SnapChat: schnitzelvision


Originally published at weeklyrunt.weebly.com.

The WeeklyRunt

Health and Lifestyle Tips For Dog Owners

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Katy Cable

Written by

I love PUGS, cappuccinos and bad carbs. Spent my life as an actress, writer and now pet activist. Here’s “A little Kibble” if your children have paws!

The WeeklyRunt

Health and Lifestyle Tips For Dog Owners

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