The University of California, Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine staged the 2022 Doxie Derby earlier this year, an amateur dog race where hundreds of adorable dachshunds gathered to compete.
The race is intended to be entertaining for both humans and puppies, but the tenacity of one of the race’s older contestants was anything but amusing.
She goes by Sophie. Age 14 applies to her.
Last April, when Sophie and her fellow participants were revealed before the race, Tiny Snek Comics author and Ph.D. student Alex Cohen was present.
the best part of @ucdavis picnic day was this 14 year old smuppy at the doxie derby crossing the finish line pic.twitter.com/MMawcnW7a1
— alex (@tinysnekcomics) April 23, 2022
Cohen may have initially had his doubts about Sophie’s performance because she was an older dog, but it quickly became apparent that what Sophie lacked in foot speed, she more than made up for with a tenacious drive.
Surprise! Sophie came in dead last. But she did win the hearts of all who watched her.
Cohen told The Dodo, “To watch such an aged dog successfully make her way across the finish line was incredibly motivating.” The audience really rallied behind Sophie to finish the race after all the other doxies had crossed the finish line. The crowd went wild when she eventually lumbered across! ”
Sophie may not have taken home any awards that day, but one thing is for certain: she deserves ALL the treats for her display of tenacity and courage.