It doesn’t matter how you do it, you just have to get your little dog across the finish line.
That’s the aim for the inaugural Hot Diggity Dog race, according to organiser Kat Campbell.
Kat is running the event as part of her fundraising campaign as a Dancing for a Cause candidate and says the aim of the day is to have fun and raise vital money for Nelson Tasman Hospice.
“I saw the Weiner Dog Derby in Auckland, we don’t have enough weiners here, as in sausage dogs, so I thought I’d call it Hot Diggity Dog, the Little Dog Race. So, any dog under knee height is what we are looking to race.”
Kat uses the term ‘race’ very loosely, as the aim is to simply coax your dog to the finish line any way you can.
“You’ll entice your dog to run, whichever gets there first is the winner of that race,” she says.
“What I have in my mind and how it might actually play out are two different things, everyone thinks I’m crazy,” she laughs.
“You might come with your dog and your kids, so the kids will stand at one end, you’ll stand at the other and call your dog to the end. One person said they’ve got KFC for the finish line, whatever is going to get your dog there.”
The races will be held at the Tahunanui Tennis Courts, as it’s an enclosed space which Kat hopes will prevent any dogs running off, on Saturday 12 November at 1pm.
Kat encourages people to pre-register, which will guarantee a goody bag for their dog on the day.
Depending on entries, they will look to run races on breed, age, gender and a special one for dogs in costume.
“That should be fun, as I’ve seen dogs in costumes, including my dog Monty, and he doesn’t move when he has one on.”
Dog registration is $10 plus a gold coin donation for each race entered on the day.
Kat says if the event is successful, she will look to run it annually as a continued fundraiser for hospice.
“I just want it to be a family day out where people have fun.”
Kat has more fundraisers planned for her Dancing for a Cause campaign. To register your little dog or find our more email office@kcandco.nz
