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Wednesday, July 04, 2007
By Sally Kalson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Last off the starting block, first in the hearts of the crowd. That sums up the outcome for Asher, the dachshund in a wheelchair who competed in yesterday's Wiener 100 at Kennywood Park.


Asher arrived at the fun run already a celebrity, having appeared on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as the first and only disabled contestant in the race's three-year history. Most of the spectators were rooting for him.

But Asher's heat, for dogs over 11 pounds, had a few hitches.

First, there was a false start: Taro, a 17-pound black-and-tan dog owned by the Munnell family of Beechview, made a break for it and had to be retrieved.

Then, with only seconds to go before the starter shout, Asher somehow got lopsided in his wheelchair. Owner Laura Schumm had to leave her spot at the finish line to set him right.

The race emcee yelled "Go!" before Ms. Schumm was back in place. Six dachshunds took off in six directions, but Asher just stood there, looking for his owner.

Once he spotted her, the little dog trotted down the field all by himself, prancing on his front legs, his rear end rolling along behind him in a naked display of cuteness. His trajectory was straight and true, and when he crossed the white marker, the spectators applauded as if he'd won.

It wouldn't be fair to say he came in last, because several of the other contestants never crossed the finish line at all, having headed toward various items of interest on the sidelines.

"I'm still proud of him," said Ms. Schumm, accompanied by her two sisters and both her parents. "He did a very good job."

The actual winner of the heat was CoCo, a 12-pound, 4-year-old owned by Robert Wholey of Strip District fishmongering fame. CoCo, who eats only salmon, wore a tiny custom-made Wholey's cap. He was the defending champion from last year, after the winning entry was disqualified for possibly not being a purebred.

CoCo was in a generous mood. Instead of keeping his prize, a JVC boom box, he gave it to Asher.

The winner of the lighter-weight heat was Sadie Lady, owned by Jayden McCleary of Lower Burrell. The 2-year-old, 71/2-pounder took off like a shot and crossed the finish line in about four seconds.

Last to cross was Mitsie, owned by Barry and Brenda Werber of Stanton Heights.

"She did better than last year," said Ms. Werber. "That time she didn't run at all."

It should be noted that no dogs were harmed in the Wiener 100 -- not even their feelings. The race was for fun only, and the Pittsburgh Dachshund Lovers members who participated stressed that they do not approve of professional dog racing.

Asked what was next for Asher, Ms. Schumm was succinct: "Cheese fries at the Potato Patch."