THE NATIONAL DACHSHUND RACES - The "Official Website" of The National Dachshund Races - ABOUT ME (Toni Gossard) & WEINERRACE.COM

ABOUT ME (Toni Gossard) & WEINERRACE.COM

My Cuddles and Max were the first dachshunds to get married in Hancock County. From that day on any dogs can get married at the National Dachshund Races.

Click Here to jump down and watch some video clips!

Hello, My name is Toni Gossard. I am being encouraged to share my life with all of you, and why I started the National Dachshund Races. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease or P.K.D., which you can learn more about by going to their home page, www.pkdcure.org.

I was put on a special plane complete with a nurse to take me from Findlay, Ohio to Mayo Hospital for a liver bisection by Dr. David Nagormey. I do not remember much for the first few days until I woke up very scared to see a man at the foot of my bed, I later learned that there was someone with me 24 hours a day until I came around, it was a long recovery time for me, and the liver bisection was in my mind worse then the 2 brain Aneurysms I had taken care of a few years earlier at the University of Colorado Science Center Hospital by Dr. Robert Breeze.

While I was recouping I had the chance to stay with my oldest sister, Connie and her husband, Alan. The only 2 things missing were my Doxies, Cuddles and Chloe. While laying and watching television (which I was getting good at doing), I was surfing through the channels and tuned into "The Best of the Breed": they were showing a Dachshund race. At that point I knew what I needed to do when I got home. To my surprise the National Dachshund Races got attention and has gotten bigger and better each year, it is a pleasant and fun activity for many people of all ages.

Many things have happened to me, it is a sad thing in life, but I have allowed myself to have interests in many areas and the Dachshund races has introduced me to many wonderful people, I have had the time to do many parades with many of the winning Doxies along with my own, (which does not compete in the races), they are smiles to my faces when I get feeling down.

Today I believe that the races, my Family, Friends, Faith and my Drs. are all a part of what keeps me here. There were many days when I got home, all I wanted to do was pull the covers over my head and never leave the bed, but my Doxies, Cuddles (red short hair) and Chloe (black and tan) had other ideas for me, the one thing they taught me was it was time for me to get on with life. A few years ago my beloved Chloe passed away and as a tribute to her I created the Last Chance race.

The same year Nancy Stanberry, the sweetest person with the biggest heart who was the guiding force in my life passed away. As a tribute to her I created the Seniors race, 2 of her 5 Doxies came to live with me, Max (wire hair), and Spot (long hair).

Besides my loving companions, I have 2 sons and 1 daughter, 1 daughter-in-law, 4 granddaughters, and 3 grandsons to share my life with.

HERO -- A Story about my Mom -- By: Paul Hauenstein

Hero

I’m going to tell you a story about some-one very close to me that I believe demonstrates the behavior and attitude of a good leader. My mother Toni Gossard, she is strong yet has the heart of a gentle puppy dog.

My mom has been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease also known as P.K.D.. As there is no cure for this, she has had 1 brain operation to clip an aneurysm and one to coil an aneurysm. She also has one that is non-operable. She went to the University of Heath Science Center in Denver Colorado by herself to have this repaired. But that did not stop my mom from being strong. She also underwent a liver transplant in Denver Colorado, however that did not work for long and was then air lifted to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for another liver operation. They ended up removing 1/3 of her liver. She deals with several problems concerning her heath and continues despite the many operations. She has maintained a good attitude through all of this despite all the pain I see in her as she still smiles. She is kind, caring, and open minded, systematic and thoughtful of others. For the last 25 years, she is and probably will remain a research patient.

One of the many ways she shows her leadership in itself is a great success story in that through her love of Dachshunds, she started and continues to operate the National Dachshund Races which in itself was a major undertaking. She also believes that her illness is one that should be better known and understood so she takes pride in educating the public about P.K.D., this is her number one goal. Every year, no matter what has happened to her heath wise, she holds these races. She raises money for area charities including animal shelters and also for research into a cure for P.K.D. even knowing full well this may be a long way off. Last year was the 7th year of The National Dachshund Race and over 5000 people attended just for fun and seeing the Dachshunds race also for fun as my mom considers all that attend a winner! Many people look up to her other than me. She holds 2 races each year which I know is very hard on her as I can see how tired she is when they are over but that smile still shines through despite the pain I know she must be feeling. My mom is a proud and courageous woman, as I know she should not be working as hard as she does to make these events happen but she is determined and just will not stop.

The main event was is in Findlay, Ohio and the other one is in Berea, Ohio where all the profit from the races directly goes to these charities with as little used as possible to cover the actual expense of the races. She does not do this for profit, simply to bring people together for family fun, smiles, good times, and many wagging tails. I cannot think of a more unselfish act than this, as I know she has many other major concerns in her life, but this to me seems like a dream come true for my mom.

When I have a rough time in life, she is always there to help me with advice or whatever is needed. She has been there when I failed and helped bring me back, when my kids need a grandma she is always there to aid us and support our needs. She even helped potty train my son, by getting us started.

She raised three kids most of her life by herself after her divorce and then becoming a widow early in life. Even through all the hard times, she still managed to raise strong, healthy and smart kid’s . Being a parent is harder than I ever expected and being a leader is something that does not come easy or is learned except by example. My example is my mom. Her baby girl has graduated from collage, one is in collage and the other one has a good job. My kids look up to my mom also. She has a unexplainable natural motherly love and the ability to see the best in people even when they think they have hit rock bottom. My mom, though it may seem at times she has, will not! She is my hero!

A VIDEO LOOK AT THE LIFE OF TONI AND HER COMPANIONS

Our first video is a more personal look at the life of Toni and her Companions Cuddles, Tinkerbell, Max and their playmate Froto the Ferret! The second, shows a "Fun Time" in the Ohio winter. Please note that the coats you see on her precious companions were made by Toni and show her Cleveland pride with these cheerleader outfits/coats!

 

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Cuddles, Max & Tinkerbell

 

There is NO DOUBT where Toni and her companions backing is. These Buckeye fan doggies gear up for the holidays in their four-legged finery.




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Use this Video Player just as it appears. You will see initially a list of the two (2) short films. There is also a volume control, play/pause and you can select to change movies by using the "Playlist" menu button at any time. We hope you enjoy this short glimpse into Toni's Private life and it will show you her pure love for the Dachshund Breed!

 

There are unfortunately many people that have a bad misconception about Dachshund Racing in general, and I wish to make it quite clear that our event is not just a Charity Dachshund Event, but it has been highly scrutinized by the AKC to ensure we are NOT one of the Dachshund Races that we would simply abhor. Please use this Mayors Proclamation Link to learn a little more about us. We fully believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions as this can be like politics or religion and be a charged topic, all we ask is you please read what we have to say before you pass any judgments and then make an informed decision.

 

We truly wish to see you here and know you will not only enjoy yourselves and entertain your family, but it will be a FULL DAY OF FUN!

 

Thank you for stopping by and we hope to see you for a day of fun with us at The National Dachshund Races.

 

Information and updates can be found at:
www.weinerrace.com and www.bereaoktoberfest.com