Wiener Walk 2012

January 3, 2012










Wiener Walk 2012

On New Year’s Eve Day for the past six years, downtown Key West has been turned in to a Wiener Wonderland when the annual Dachshund Walk has been held. Founded and organized by my friends Ruth Reiter & her husband Dan, the event has grown from a quirky little gathering of dachshund owners into a huge frenzied event that attracts hundreds of participants and countless more people who line the streets to watch the festivities.



Taking Pix * Photo by Michael Ruetz



The event has become a staple of the New Years’ celebration in Key West and has become a nationwide media event as well, covered by CNN, the local Miami TV stations, the AP and more. This year even the Huffington Post got in to the coverage and I am proud to say used my photographs to illustrate their story. You can check it out on the link below.







I have been asked to photograph the event each year since its inception and have watched the impressive growth and tremendous popularity explosion first hand. I must say that it has been a real joy to witness. It is a rare thing that an event is held that is just for the sheer joy of it, no fundraiser, no cause to bring attention to and not trying to sell anything to anyone. It is not that charity events are not great, it’s just increasingly rare to find a Key West event that does not have a sponsor or a cause and it is somewhat refreshing.







This event is all about fun and there is something about the proud owners of dachshunds that is different than most dog owners. They seem to reveal in their pets with a special joy that is evident in the way they get so excited about events like this, which are held throughout the nation. They have websites, hold meetings and obviously travel great distances to participate in events that celebrate their wiener dogs, if the woman I met who drove all the way from Maine just to participate is any indication.



Steve



Robyn

Special wiener dog t-shirts and memorabilia were in full display as were the many varied and fun costumes that many people dressed their dachshunds up in. My friend Esme had the most inventive costume that I saw and it had a local feel as well as her dog was dressed as a local iguana. My friends Clare & Bert also went with local interest costumes for their pair of dachshunds, dressing them up as white flies, a common local pest.

Esme



Master of Disguise





Decked out to the max or simply going au natural the dachshunds of all shapes and sizes paraded along the new route which was basically up and down Fleming Street which was blocked off by the police this year. This seemed to be a much better situation as it avoided what had become a mess of congestion along Duval Street in recent years and enabled more space for those watching to get good spots and actually interact with the hounds.





Ruth hands over the leash.



Huffington Post article

Happy 2012!

January 2, 2012

Mark





Graf

Happy 2012!

The last week of 2011 found us trying hard to relax and slow down a little after a crazy, fun and hectic holiday season, the pace of life does not really slow down too much here though as the busiest week of the year for tourists arrives and the island packs up with pale tourists in search of fun and excitement.

Michael & Kathy

Melissa & Rhett

Greg & Beth

We started the week on Christmas day, relaxing in the morning in the afterglow of our wonderful Christmas Eve party, opening presents and spending the day at home. In the evening we joined a gathering of friends at the home of our friends Graf & Eileen for an incredible Christmas dinner.

Graf





Eileen

It was a fantastic meal topped off by an incredible selection of cheeses and desserts which was a perfect way to enjoy Christmas dinner. The weather was just about perfect for the outdoor feast and everyone enjoyed yet another opportunity to eat and drink themselves silly.





Jim & Fiona



You would think that with the town packed with tourists that we might take it easy and avoid the masses and stay home during the most crowded week of the year. We did to some extent, but when a few of those tourists included our friends Ellen & KJ and their family who were here visiting from their home in the Netherlands, we choose to venture out to hang out with them a couple of times. First we joined them early in the week for lunch at Hurricane Hole (which has a wonderful pirate ship playground for the kids) and later in the week at Finnegan’s Wake for a few beers and food. We had a great time hanging with them and were thrilled for them that the weather this week has been so spectacular.



Eva & Kathy



We were also drawn out for the opening night of the latest addition to the Key West culinary scene with the opening of a fantastic new restaurant called “2 ¢” or Two Cents. The soft opening was held this week for this new place which is located on Appelrouth Lane at the former Ilona’s restaurant. The creation of the talented Chris Schultz and the splendid Chef Chris Otten, the restaurant was packed on their opening night and yet the food, service, ambiance and overall experience were all first rate.

Chris Schultz

Chris Otten





As much as we loved Ilona’s and were sad to see them go, this replacement is in all actuality a step up and another excellent addition to the Key West experience. We had an amazing time at the opening and plan to make this a regular dining experience.





Marky & Jennifer

Rudi & Anja

As New Year’s Eve approached, Kathy & I contemplated simply avoiding the masses altogether and staying home, but instead we made the correct decision to head over to our friends’ Nancy & Mark’s home for their annual New Year’s Eve party. It was a great party, packed with good friends and happy revelers ringing in the New Year. It was a little too much champagne and plans to call it a night just after midnight somehow turned in to a late, late night/ early morning as we were among the last to depart the party. We had a great start to the New Year and hope that you all enjoy a fantastic 2012.