A local wiener dog dashed his way through his two qualifying runs at the Wienerschnitzel Weiner Nationals in San Diego but didn't win the final race.
James, Vicki and Cali Nelson of Holladay took their dachshund, Dasher, to the national race Dec. 30. Cali, 12, said Dasher won his first two races easily, but on the third race another dog bit him in the behind and he turned around to see what was going on and lost the race.
"I felt really good (about Dasher's performance) because he tried his best," she said. "He got bit. I would have turned around, too. All of us were really happy he did the best he could."
Vicki Nelson agrees.
"I think he did a fabulous job. He probably weighed the most and was the largest of the dachshunds," she said. "He did absolutely great. We were thrilled at how it came out."
Even though Dasher didn't win one of the three top spots in the final race, Cali and Dasher still got to ride on the Wienerschnitzel float in the Holiday Bowl Parade. The Nelsons also went to a VIP tailgate party before attending the Holiday Bowl football game, all complements of Wienerschnitzel, said Barbara Flinn of Wienerschnitzel.
Cali said Dasher's size took everyone by surprise, but he was well-liked.
"He was really popular. He caught everyone off guard. They're used to these small dogs, and he's a big muscular dog," she said. "He let everybody pet him and got a lot of attention."
Dasher wasn't the only member of the Nelson family who was well received. "The Nelsons won the hearts of everyone in San Diego. Vicki, Cali, James and Dasher were the nicest, sweetest family and, yes, Dasher was by far our largest dog," Flinn said.
Although Dasher didn't win the top honors at the race, he did win a giant plastic bone (dog toy chest) filled with a studded collar, Swarovski crystal champ charm, a leopard bed, "chewgars," a wiener pull toy, a personalized doggy backpack and many other gifts. Cali said he pulled apart the stuffed champagne glass that came in the chest almost as soon as he got it.
While in San Diego, the Nelsons also took Dasher to a doggy beach, attended Wienerschnitzel's party for the dogs and their families and visited Disneyland. Vicki Nelson said Disneyland was probably the hardest part of the trip for Dasher as he had to be boarded for about 13 hours while his family was in the park.
Now that he's home again Dasher gets extra food and little pieces of meat. Cali said she also gives him massages to help relax him.
The Nelsons plan to enter Dasher into the race next year as well and will be taking steps to help prepare him. "It was really nice to let us go and (attend the race)," Cali said. "It was all fun. We wanted to say thanks for letting us do it. We will be back next year."
Vicki Nelson wanted to express thanks to their veterinarian who helped sponsor them and Prudential Real Estate for providing Dasher his own Web site. She also appreciated how well the whole event was organized.
"We really appreciate the good job the advertising company Adville USA, the company who put everything together, did on the race," she said. "They did an outstanding job of organizing the production of race. We're happy with them and the way they organized and got it all together. We were very impressed with the whole Wienerschnitzel Co."
E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com