But there were some really hot dogs at the races at Headwaters Park, where the temperature soared to 90 degrees by 3 p.m. during the middle of the race that has long been a highlight of Fort Wayne’s annual Germanfest.
While they waited their turns, dachshunds lounged under trees and in tents, splashed in kiddie pools provided by race organizers, lapped at water dishes, were spritzed by water bottles and, yes, caught a snooze or two.
But that all changed the minute the dogs’ names were called and their handlers took them to the top of the two approximately 40-foot race chutes, where the pups would be lured to dash to the other end by treats, toys and some lovin’ from their doting owners.
For Scooter, a 12-year-old long-haired mini dachshund, it was the promise of pancakes that got him to the finish line first in two early heats.
And not just any pancakes, said owner Jennifer Robinson, 27, of Columbia City. Only McDonald’s pancakes.
She and her husband, Justin, 31, used to use cheese slices as a race lure. But when the fast-food chain switched to all-day breakfast last year, they found Scooter would do just about anything for pancake pieces.
“He started going nuts whenever we’d bring a carry-out bag home. He just loves them,” said Jennifer, a dog groomer who’s taking some time off for motherhood.
The couple also “raced” their other doxie, a 6-year-old named Windsor. He apparently did not have winning on his mind.
When it came time for his race, instead of running, he just turned around and looked up plaintively at Justin, making no move toward the finish line whatsoever.
“What’s the matter?’ said Justin as he carried the dog back to a shady spot under a tree. “He’s twice as old as you are, and he ran,” he said, nodding at Scooter.
For the day’s champion, Sherwood, his motivation was – what else? – actual hot dogs.
Owned by Amber and Chad Schiebel of Fort Wayne, Sherwood is a race veteran, having come in second last year, sixth in 2014 and third in 2013.
“The fourth time’s the charm,” said Amber, glowing with delight following the win, a baggy of the cut-up treats in her hand. “These are only for special occasions,” she said.
Schiebel said she doesn’t have to train the dog to run – “He has a Great Dane and a basset hound at home to chase. They literally do laps around the house. We call it the Sherwood 500.”
In this year’s final heat, Sherwood went up against Fonzarelli from Fort Wayne. Fonzi was beaten by a whisker in a photo finish – with the photo on a judge’s cellphone.
While co-handler Brandon Liechty of Fort Wayne had dog cookies at the end of race course, owner Renee Kahn of Fort Wayne said she doesn’t think they were the big motivator.
“He just doesn’t like to be away from us,” she said.
Fonzarelli won the 2010 races and “came out of retirement” to run this year, Kahn said.
Krystal Smith, race announcer, said Saturday’s field may have been trimmed because of the hot weather. Ninety dogs registered, but only about 45 showed, which cut the number of heats.
That allowed the races to finish long before clouds rolled in at 5 p.m., signaling the shift to cooler temperatures.
Amos Dodson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office outside North Webster, said no temperature records were broken Saturday. The date’s record is 96 degrees, he said.
“It will be cooler tomorrow,” he promised of today’s temperatures. “It will be only in the low 80s for a high, and the humidity will be much less. There’s a cold front coming in.”
(Journal Gazette - June 12, 2016)
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