• The National Dachshund Races from Pain to Glory
Hello, my name is Toni Gossard. I am being encouraged to share my life with all of you, and why I started the National Dachshund Races. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease or P.K.D., a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts filled with fluid in the kidneys, unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for this disease, just hope.
It all started when I was put on a special plane complete with a nurse to take me from Findlay, Ohio to the Mayo Hospital for a liver bisection by Dr. David Nagormey. After several days, I finally woke from the surgery. During this time, there was someone with me 24 hours a day, watching over me. It was a long recovery time for me, and the liver bisection was in my mind, worse then the 2 brain Aneurysms I had recovered from a few years earlier at the University of Colorado Science Center Hospital by Dr. Robert Breeze. AS of April I'm on dialysis, I will be on it for at least 2-5 years before I can be put on the Liver/kidney transplant list .This is due to me having cancer last year and the good news they got it all!!
Fortunately, I was able to be nurse back to health by my oldest sister and spend a long recuperation period at her home. Unfortunately, my dachshunds, Cuddles (red short hair) and Chloe (black and tan) were not with me. I miss them so much and often wished that they could lay by me while I recovered. On day during my recuperation period, I was laying and watching television (which I was getting good at doing), I was surfing through the channels and tuned into "The Best of the Breed": they were showing a Dachshund race. At that point, I knew what I needed to do when I got home: I was determined to start a Dachshund race in my area, both for fun and to help raise money: for animal shelters and for PKD and to build awareness for this disease. Over the years, much to my surprise, this event has gown and grown and received countless write-ups, along with national press coverage. The Races are also in the movie Wiener Takes All.
Through this seed of an idea sprouted the National Dachshund Races. These races have brought me so much joy and have allowed me to meet so many wonderful people in the dachshund world. Moreover, of course, I have met many of the cutest and sweets Dachshund ever, not mention...the fast Doxies too! I have participated in many parades with many of the winning, along with my own. It is always such a joy to me to see the how people smile when they see the Doxie race and parade about. In turn, these smiles of others bring smiles to my heart and soul, which I draw from when my disease gets me down. The races have helped me move on and better deal with my chronic condition, at the same time I know that I get as much as I give.
When I started the National Dachshund Races, it was and still is important to have high standards: we keep this event fun and safe for the dogs. We only race our dogs 35 feet and under very strict guidelines, all for the benefit of the dog. I feel some races their dogs way too far and in multiple heats and in hot humid conditions that are not safe for the dogs. Your Dachshund should be your companion first and racer second. A dachshund is simply NOT built to run long distances safely. We are proud to say that the AKC supports our strict guidelines A few years ago I started the National Dachshund Circuit Races. All of the circuit race funds stay in the city or state that the race is held. Please check the web site for locations
• Races and Events have been added to the line up. All doxie can join the fun. We have cart and handicap races for those who are blind, deaf etc. There is a dog show and education about the breed .For those doxies that are mixed there is a race for you to you must look like a doxie and be spayed.
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• The races, my family, friends, faith and my doctors are all a part of what keeps me here. There were many days when the pain overcomes me and all I wanted to do was pull the covers over my head and never leave the bed. My Doxies have other ideas for me; the one thing they taught me is that I must get on with life. A few years ago my beloved Chloe passed away and as a tribute to her I created the Last Chance race, designed for older dogs to show they are still worthy. That same year Nancy Stanberry, a sweet big-hearted person and a guiding force in my life, passed away. As a tribute to her, I created the Seniors Race and I adopted 2 of her 5 Doxies: Max (wirehair), and Spot (long hair).Spot went to the bridge 8 years ago.
• Harley joined the group 2 years ago .He is my alert service dog and has taught me many things.
Besides my loving companions, I have 2 sons and 1 daughter, 2 daughter-in-law,1 son-in law 5 granddaughters, and 5 grandsons to share my life with. Over the past 8 years, in one way or another: they have been a part of the races too.
I tell this story so that people know that Dachshund bring more than a cute face and a wagging tail and that life is about following what leads you....and maybe it's an illness or maybe it your dog.
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• To Learn more about the races go to nationaldachshsundrace.org or nationaldachshundcircuirraces.com
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• See you at the race
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