I first heard about DREAM in 2008.

A year or two earlier, I had adopted a little wheelie dog named Skippy, a dachshund mix. When I couldn’t find a store-bought costume that worked with his wheelchair, I decided to turn him into a John Deere tractor — and off we went to something called Howl-o-Weenie.

That day, we won People’s Choice, and Skippy won his very first wheelie race! I didn’t even know dachshund racing was a thing, but we were hooked.

The following February, I reached out to DREAM about fostering and welcomed my first foster, Ben. Then came Spencer, Tottie, and Nicodemus. Each of them left a special mark on my heart.

Skippy and I continued winning costume contests and races until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2015. When I adopted Maggie the following year, we started including her bestie, Artie, in our costumes — and kept right on winning. Soon, other wheelie dogs joined our group, and the Wheelie Warriors were born. Over the years, our crew has included Skippy, Artie, Mighty Max, Maggie, Max Jr., Lucy, Wags, and a few temporary and honorary members along the way.

Our mission is simple: to show people just how resilient these dogs are. They keep rolling through life with joy, determination, and so much love. People everywhere want to meet our dogs, and we use those moments to talk about IVDD and rescue. Each year at Howl-o-Weenie, we help man the IVDD Information Booth to educate dachshund owners about the risks of IVDD and share what we’ve learned over the years.

In the past year or so, I’ve also been able to put my crafty skills to use by making props for DREAM events. I’ve created photo booth props for Howl-o-Weenie and, most recently, hats and other fun pieces for the Kentucky Derby-themed event. I love being creative and finding ways to add to the fun of DREAM events.

If someone asked me about volunteering with DREAM, I would enthusiastically tell them to go for it! There are so many different ways to help, from fostering to event support and everything in between. Come to a DREAM event, and we’ll be happy to help you find a niche that is just right for you.

DREAM has meant the world to me for nearly 20 years. This rescue community has shown the highest ethics, the greatest knowledge, and the deepest love for these silly sausages. I am proud to be part of the DREAM family.