Hundreds met at Washington Square Park this Saturday for the 23rd annual Dachshund Spring Fiesta.
Dapples, double dapples, solids, wire coats, piebolds, Isabellas, long hairs, brindles, sables and every sort of mutt mix in between strutted their low-riding stuff for the event.
While there were hundreds of tails wagging, owners everywhere sharing their doxie stories, people smiling from ear to ear and dog lovers joining in for the theme tune, “The Dachs Song,” these festivities may never have happened if one man didn’t want to find a friend for his lonely dachshund.
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Travel blogger Courtney Scott and organizers Murray Weinstock and Adrian Milton
Organizer Adrian Milton told us that over two decades ago, he adopted a 4-year-old dachshund named Damon. The dog’s previous life wasn’t all that great. Back in 1995, Milton told The New York Times that before he entered Damon’s life, the dog, along with his twin brother Pythias, was living with a wealthy couple. After the passing of Pythias, Damon just couldn’t cope. He began peeing on the expensive rugs, was unruly and was even locked in an oven when the owners left their home. When Milton heard about Damon, he offered to rescue the dog. But even though Damon now had a better life, he couldn’t get over losing his brother. He was heartbroken.
Milton said that everywhere he walked with Damon, the pup would run up to other dachshunds and greet them, wanting to be friends. So Milton decided to post signs across his neighborhood asking if dachshund owners would be interested in meeting in Washington Square Park. And subsequently The Dachshund Friendship Club was formed and the bi-yearly celebrations – Dachshund Spring Fiesta and Dachshund Oktoberfest — ensued.
Here are a few pics of dachshunds and their owners meeting other friends:
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Big Al has the unique ‘Isabella’ coat
A woman that has visited the annual event many times
Why so many people love their dachshunds
Matchy-matchy
Never too old to have fun
Representing New York City
Pink hair and pink outfit. Very stylish.
So many doxies!
