Dachshund Cairn Terrier Mix

Toto wannabes turn out for canine casting call

Outgoing young Kansan seeking pooch companion: Suitors must tolerate munchkins, fit in a basket and not be averse to tin men.

About a dozen dogs answered Dorothy's want ad Saturday in hopes of earning a spot on stage portraying Toto in a local production of "The Wizard of Oz."

The competition to play the Midwest's most famous canine was intense, and Dorothy's potential pets were tested on friendliness, calmness and their reaction to loud noises this weekend at the Greater Lincoln Obedience Club.

Dorothy herself, a pigtailed 13-year-old known off stage as Liza Piccoli, was on hand to watch the auditions. Among the actress' favorites was Nike, a young Cairn terrier that, unlike some other contenders, resembled the original Toto.

"We don't have to have a dog that looks like the one in the movie," director Courtney Piccoli said, "but it wouldn't hurt."

Nike had more going for him than looks. The former rescue dog didn't flinch at sudden noises, was friendly to strangers and became fast friends with Liza.

"Nike is one of the most well-behaved dogs I've seen," Liza said.

Some of Nike's competitors looked more like Lassie than Toto. Judy Foreman brought her two Shetland sheepdogs, Thunder and Lightning, to see how their paws stacked up.

And while a white-and-brown Toto might bother some "Wizard of Oz" purists, small dogs of all breeds and colors were welcome at the audition.

Jane Shanahan brought two mixed-breed dogs, neither of which looked much like Toto, to the audition. But Shanahan thought Yogi, a dachshund-Yorkshire terrier mix, was up to the task.

Yogi also handled his tests with aplomb, enjoying a rendition of the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out" meant to test whether a Toto hopeful could handle a musical show.

Midway through Saturday's auditions, Nike still had the heart of Liza. But no matter the canine selection, the actress expected to bond with her co-star during rehearsals. Practices for the Pinewood Bowl show already have started and will continue until next month's performances.

"I'm not going to want to give it back at the end of the summer," she said. "I'm going to grow so close to him.

Tuesday's Activities « BRVA DOGGIE DAYCARE BLOG

 THE CAVALIER KING CHARLES  ~enjoyed a walk with Alexa along the nature trail and she met Riley the black Lab, Belle the German short-haired Pointer, and her brother Buster while out!  Abby also had a fun time playing in the gym with her brother Buster, Bella the Maltese, Oscar and Smokey the Miniature Dachshunds, Snickers the Schnoodle, Gracie the Italian Greyhound, Banjo the small Poodle mix, Dusty the Yorkie, Tink the Chihuahua, Widget the Shih tzu, Princess the Yorkie, Muffet the Yorkipoo, and with Roo the Chihuahua!  She had the most fun with Widget and Banjo!  THE POODLE MIX  ~had a fun time playing in the gym with Abby & Buster the cavalier King Charles, Bella the Maltese, Oscar and Smokey the Miniature Dachshunds, Snickers the Schnoodle, Gracie the Italian Greyhound, Dusty the Yorkie, Tink the Chihuahua, Widget the Shih tzu, Princess the Yorkie, Muffet the Yorkipoo, and with Roo the Chihuahua!  He had the most fun with Abby and Muffet!  THE MALTESE  ~enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood with Alexa and she met Max the black Lab mix, and saw another black lab named Riley!  Bella also had a fun time playing in the gym with Abby & Buster the Cavalier King Charles’s, Oscar and Smokey the Miniature Dachshunds, Snickers the Schnoodle, Gracie the Italian Greyhound, Banjo the small Poodle mix, Dusty the Yorkie, Tink the Chihuahua, Widget the Shih tzu, Princess the Yorkie, Muffet the Yorkipoo, and with Roo the Chihuahua!  THE COON HOUND  ~enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood with Sharon and he met Stella the Fox Hound, Isabella the Preso Canario Mastiff, and Crosby the Husky mix!  Boone also had a fun time in the gym with Dixie the English Cocker Spaniel, Ellie Mae The Pointer, Otto the chocolate Lab, Maggie the Weimaraner, Sassy the Australian Shepherd, Rainier the white Standard Poodle, and with Huckleberry the yellow Lab!  THE AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG  ~enjoyed a walk with Shannon along the nature trail and he met Rosie the Terrier mix along the way!  Bully also had a fun time in the gym with Cody the Carin Terrier, Perkins the Basset Hound, Reese the Spaniel mix, Sonny the black Lab mix, Elvis the Hound mix, Hattie the Welsh Terrier, Sasha the Border Collie, Itsy the Beagle, and with Banjo the Poodle mix!  He had the most fun with Reese, and Cody!  THE CAVALIER KING CHARLES  ~enjoyed a walk along the bike trail today with Brent and he met his sis Abby while out exploring!

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