Last Saturday Savannah hosted the 2011 Wiener Dog Races at Morrell Park on River Street. With 174 competing Dachshunds, the city of Savannah set up bleachers to accommodate the large number of spectators and dog owners. There were close to a thousand spectators in attendance and all were there to feed their love of animals. This is the 12th year the wiener dogs have been put to the test in Savannah and the event is only getting bigger.

This kind of activity is what makes a city like Savannah appealing. There are different things like this to do all of the time. A lot of which are free. These fun kind-spirited events get families off of the couch and out of the house. I believe that is what we all need, community events that are low cost so all citizens can participate and enjoy them. The more we take our children out of the house and into the world the more they will learn and the more they will be willing to continue these events when they are our community leaders. Exposure to social events teaches children and some adults that there is more to life than to sit in front of the television eating potato chips. I believe my own attitude about life would be different if I had these same opportunities where I grew up. I grew up with the entertainment of television and that is one of my problems now. In a place like Savannah you can just about always find something to do on the weekends.

I also believe that this particular event is a great outlet for animal lovers. The wiener dog races are of course for wiener dogs but any dog owner or lover would have a great time. Let’s face it, all dog owners pretty much like all dogs. We have three dogs but if we had the time, money and room we would have more of different kinds. Any event that promotes the health and well-being of animals is a plus in my book.

Below are some pics from Saturday’s contests. No matter who you are, cute is the word that comes to mind.