Sale to aid dachshund rescue

In conjunction with the citywide and The Timbers subdivision garage sales, Midwest Dachshund Rescue will hold a multiple family garage sale to offset vetting costs of the nearly 200 dachshunds the group rescues each year. The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17, at 115 Lewis Court, St. Charles.

Foster mom Roberta Merwin has decided to host the sale for the second year in a row after last year's sale was such a success. This year's sale should be bigger than the last, with more than 20 families contributing items so far, with more coming in every day. "We have a huge variety of items, including furniture, antiques and collectibles, electronics, tools, dog items and children's items," Merwin said.

A big draw to the sale will also be the foster dogs that will be on hand to visit with the customers. "Who doesn't smile when they see a wiener dog?" says Merwin, whose current foster, Moxie, will be on hand also. Moxie has undergone two painful and expensive treatments to kill the heartworms, and is still in the recovery period, after which she can be spayed, have her teeth cleaned and finally be put up for adoption.

"Moxie's medical costs are extensive, just like many of the other dachshunds that MWDR takes in each year," says Lori Biesboer, representative with MWDR. "We do charge an adoption fee, but for most dogs that come in, the medical costs far outweigh the adoption fee," Biesboer says. This is where fundraisers like the garage sale come in.

Midwest Dachshund Rescue's biggest fundraiser, the annual "Cross Town Bark Around Fundraiser and Doxie Social," is set for Saturday, May 15. Visit MWDR.org for details.