When Signal Mountain residents Chris and Michelle Welch take their dogs out, people notice.
Sometimes passersby point, stare, laugh or even come up and ask to pet or take a picture of them. There’s just something about Dachshunds that seems to get a response, Chris Welch said.
“We love the reactions from people,” he said. “And we always like to bring the dogs downtown when the weather is good.”
After joining meetup.com, the Welches thought it might be fun to invite others to bring their “wieners” out for a walk. They recently started a meetup called the Chattanooga Wiener Walkers and are encouraging other locals with Dachshunds to join.
The group had its first walk recently and plans to meet at Chew-Chew Canine Park, located at 1801 Carter St. near First Tennessee Pavilion and the Chattown Skate Park, Saturday, Feb. 22 at 12:30 p.m. for a “Wiener Play Time.” The Welches said they plan to organize a group outing that will likely either be a walk, play time or even a trip to Hair of the Dog Pub for lunch, every other week.
“The reason for starting the group is for people to help their own Dachshunds socialize and get better with new people and new dogs,” Welch said. “Dachshunds also need exercise because they get fat really easily. Plus, it’s a chance for people to see more Dachshunds.”
Meeting other Dachshund owners is also a way to make new human friends, he said.
“It’s so difficult to meet people around here,” said Welch. “As long as we live here, we want to create some things for people to do.”
For more information about the group or to join in the fun, visit meetup.com/Wiener-Walkers-of-Chattanooga.