Little dogs enjoy big day at dachshund social, fundraiser in Wheaton

There might not have been anything cuter Saturday than Copper, a 9-week-old dachshund visiting the Cross Town Bark Around Fundraiser and Doxie Social in Wheaton.

Except maybe Tootsie Lou, in her pink-and-white Tootsie Roll Wagon costume.

"They're just adorable," said Julie Lanham of Milwaukee, explaining why she owns two "wiener dogs" - Norbert, 3, and Rhett, 6. "They do have a fun personality."

She was attending the MidWest Dachshund Rescue's eighth annual event at the DuPage County Fairgrounds with her husband, her daughter, her daughter's fiance and her future son-in-law's mom - Copper's owner.

"Dachshunds are a family affair," Lanham said, laughing. Norbert and Rhett were rescued through the organization.

Tootsie Lou, of Dakota, Illinois, was the crowd favorite in a costume contest narrated by Dan Ponce, WGN-TV Morning News anchor and proud owner of a miniature dachshund.

The runners-up were topical: Forte, as an I-90 construction worker, and Ladybug, resplendent in red, white and blue tulle as a third-party presidential candidate.

Tootsie Lou pulled her wheeled costume with just her two front legs; her back ones are paralyzed. Owner Deb Garr does not know why, as she just met the 7-year-old dog last year when she agreed to foster her. "We decided to keep her. So we are a 'foster failure,'" Garr said. She said Tootsie Lou loves to run around the farm back home, and her best friend is Jack, a donkey.

The event included races, a talent show, a peanut butter lick, raffles, silent auctions and sales booths. Several dogs were also available for adoption.