Author’s Note: For almost a year now, our lives have been enriched with the addition of our miniature, short-haired, black and tan dachshund – doxie, hotdog, weiner-dog, etc – Hanalei (Hana for short). Yes, the same “Hanalei” from the song, “Puff the Magic Dragon,” but more accurately, inspired after a trip to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Maui, Lanai and Kauai). “Hanalei” literally means “Crescent Bay” in Hawaiian and doxie’s form a crescent when curled up. We also had a magical experience on the road to – and staying in Hana, so the name has multi-meanings and reminds us of that great trip!
Hana is the definition of love bug, curious and mischievous as the breed is known to be, as well as an alert system. If a door squeaks, a car pulls into the driveway, or a potato chips drops on the floor, she leaps over to inspect the scene. Since her earliest puppy days, we’ve made a point to socialize her with other dogs. We also regularly attend dog-friendly outdoor events (farmer’s markets, Octoberfests, craft fairs, etc) to include her as much as possible in our lives as well as socialize her with dogs and people. I suppose dog-friendly activities are just what you do when you have a dog, but it’s become a requirement on the weekends, especially in the face of daylight savings time and colder, darker days ahead.
Following the first “shy dog play hour” at a local Dog Groomer & Boarding House, we were fortunate to find a group of fellow “fir baby” owners who get together outside of that morning’s scheduled social hour. The group refers to itself as, “The Ruff & Tumble Gang,” a literal illustration of what happens when our dogs get together. It has been a delight to get to know our neighbors – now friends – as well as hear about other events and activities for dogs not widely publicized. As an example, a local dog store, “Dogology,” hosted a Halloween-type backyard event with dog costume contest, grooming, food and beer vendors and of course, dog products. Another event at a historical museum hosted “A Pawesome Day,” complete with Dog Parade, professional portraits, silent auction, complimentary entry to the Hill-Stead Museum, agility course and food and beer vendors. Our favorite fall event, “Raise a Paw Against Leukemia,” was a mix of craft fair, dog obstacle course and food vendors in Simsbury Meadows. Dog friendly events are the new normal, but Cape Cod Doxie Day takes it to a new level!
The energy, affection and adorableness of one dog – in this case our dachshund – can fill a room. (Authors note: As I write this, Hana is literally climbing on my face and licking me. As I try to resist, she rests her chin on my nose.) Now imagine being on the town green in Barnstable surrounded by about 50 dachshunds on a beautfiul autumn afternoon. That was the scene at the 2018 Cape Cod Doxie Day, an annual get together of fellow Doxie’s featuring events like the Wiener Waddle and Waggin Parade, costume and tricks contest, photos with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, silent auction and raffle, as well as the can’t-miss Doxie Dash! If you like dogs, this event is worth a stop.
Hana participated in most of the activities, but didn’t quite make it out of the starting gate (box) for the Doxie Dash. We will have to work on that with her for future races. She did get an honorable mention in the costume parade, wearing a custom crafted (by Ellen), “Doxie Light” felt “cape” for the Cape (get it?). The shape of the cape was a lighthouse, though as I write this, we could have played up the subtle reference for a harvest lager, despite the contest and event being located on Cape Cod. Our other option was the K9 shark costume, but Hana was not a fan of the slim fit.
The biggest competition of the day, however, was not on the playing field, but at the silent auction. The grand prize were custom crafted Adirondack chairs, complete with a golden dachshund carved in the middle. We have been wanting to get a set of Adirondack chairs our home for years, but hadn’t found the right pair…yet.
In the final minutes of the silent auction, Ellen increased her pledge one last time, confident she would not be outbid. But then it happened, out of the corner of her eye, someone came out of nowhere and added another bid! However, the volunteer running the silent auction had not yet started to close bids, so Ellen was able to swoop-in just before all bids closed. We won – the SET of chairs!
While some would say the adults were the big “wieners” (winners) of the day, Hana also had a good time. She will be the “underdog” to watch at next year’s Doxie Dash!