By STACY MILLBERG - Staff Writer - smillberg@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — With ears flapping in the wind, 24 wiener dogs had one thing on their minds Saturday: Moving their little legs as fast as they could to make it to the finish line.
Spectators cheered as Alicia McFarland, of the Ashtabula Kennel Club, said “wieners ready...set...go!” Dog owners shouted to encourage their pooches to make it to the other end as fast as they could at the Ashtabula Kennel Club’s annual Wiener Dog Races on Bridge Street.
Jake, a 7-year-old wiener dog was the big winner Saturday, coming in first place at the races. Carol Mansfield, Jake’s owner, said this is the third year they have participated in the event, but the first time Jake has won.
“He just ran really good,” she said.
Mansfield said she and Jake practiced and worked out to prepare for the event, which she felt made the difference this year.
Not only was Jake victorious in the races but he also stole first place in the costume contest in the Best Theme category. Jake pranced out in a hot-dog costume to win over the judges.
This is the third year the Ashtabula Kennel Club has hosted the races, McFarland said, which was the idea of one of the club’s members.
“It makes it a little more fun,” she said.
The event has grown consistently every year, this year drawing a sizable crowd of spectators. The club also was promoting another event for wiener dog’s at the races. A parade will be held at Christmas called “Walking in a Wiener Wonderland.”
The Ashtabula Kennel Club meets the first Monday of each month at the Katherine Rose Party Center on North Bend Road in Saybrook Township.
