Nextel Goes to the Dogs

WASHINGTON -- The Washington International Horse Show, taking place October 22 – 27, 2002 at the MCI Center, will hold its popular Nextel Terrier Races on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, October 24 – 27. Among the feisty canine contestants racing over mini steeplechase jumps is a 4 year old short-legged Jack Russell named Taco Bill who found a wonderful owner and home because of his love of running and jumping in terrier races.The small Jack Russell terrier was abandoned at a feed store in Warrenton, VA in 1999. The manager of the store immediately called her friend, Ruth Evans, who owns many Jack Russells. Evans picked up the dog (then named Taco) and tried to place him in a new home, but the new potential owners could not handle his high-energy ways and constant need for things to chew.The day after returning from his failed attempt with new owners, Evans renamed Taco “Taco Bill” (after driving past a Taco Bell and thinking about the famous Chihuahua used in their television commercials) and took him to a terrier race/trial in Taney Town, Maryland. Although he didn’t win, his enthusiasm was enough to convince her that he was special and worth adding to her group of successful racing Jack Russells.Since then, Taco Bill has been winning 60 – 70% of his races. He has appeared on television, been named “Athlete of the Week” in local newspapers, and he even passed a Canine Good Manners class with flying colors.Taco Bill will be competing on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Washington International Horse Show for some of the highest prize money offered in the sport of Jack Russell terrier racing.Nextel Communications Inc.