Midwest Dachshund Rescue Fundraiser and Social May 19, 2012 in Wheaton

The fourth annual “Cross Town Bark Around,” a fundraiser and social presented by Midwest Dachshund Rescue (MWDR), will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 West Manchester Road, Wheaton.

The event will be inside Buildings 2 and 3 and will be held, rain or shine. The “Doxie Dash Wiener Races” will begin at 2 p.m. All activities, except for the races, will be inside the buildings. Dachshunds, dachshund mixes and their families and friends are invited. Dachshund lovers without dogs are also welcome.

Activities in addition to the Doxie Dash include raffles and silent auctions, featuring Cubs and White Sox tickets, theme park passes, dining gift cards and overnight hotel stays. The event also will feature a Doxie “Kiss-Off,” Doxie Cake Walk, Best Costume and Best “Peanut Butter Licker” Contests and Paw Painting on Canvas for the little Pawcassos. The Doxie General Store will feature one-of-a-kind dog-related items. There also will be “Ask The Trainer” and “Teach A Dog A Trick” booths, a bake sale, nail trims, wiener games and photos with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Pedal Car.

All proceeds benefit rescued dachshunds whose veterinary care, spaying and neutering, food, medication and other needs prior to adoption are funded by MWDR.

Admission is $5 for adults, which includes one free hot dog. Registration is not required for admission but advance registration is necessary for Doxie Dash Wiener Race participants.

MWDR is a 501 (c) (3), all-volunteer organization that was founded in 2003. MWDR operates through a volunteer network of representatives, transporters and foster homes in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Most dogs come into MWDR from kill shelters or puppy-mill closures. Owner surrenders also are accepted when funds and foster homes are available.

Lori Biesboer, president of MWDR, said the group “is totally committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing needy dachshunds and dachshund mixes throughout the Midwest.” The annual fundraiser and social are crucial to raising the funds and awareness necessary to maintain the organization's mission.

For more information about the Cross Town Bark Around, contact Lori at 815-260-6734 or l.biesboer@comcast.net. To register for the Doxie Dash, send an email to sandispassion@charter.net. For more information about MWDR and adoptable dachshunds, go to www.mwdr.org.