Texas Sweats for Pets Top Dog: Rosemary Hashbrowns

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City will take place in June this year, but in the eyes of many Austinites, Rosemary “Rosie” Hashbrowns has already won the place of “Top Dog.”

How did she earn this prestigious award?

Rosie Hashbrowns and her owner, Sarah Reagor, started their own fundraising page in efforts to support the annual Texas Sweats for Pets Virtual Fitness-A-Thon which took place in January 2021. Hosted by It’s Time Texas, a nonprofit empowering Texans to lead healthier lives and build healthier communities, and Austin Pets Alive!, the proceeds from the three-day virtual fitness event went to support both causes. Rosie and Reagor’s determination to raise money and awareness for both organizations awarded the pup the “Top Fundraising Dog” prize.

Reagor adopted Rosie the very first day she met the young pup. Rosie was a street dog that ended up being hit by a car. She had to have a hip replacement and stayed in a diaper for some time. When Reagor saw the pup’s picture posted on the Nextdoor app, she rushed out the door to meet her. Their fate was sealed.

“I fell in love with her the moment I met her,” says Reagor. “She was the most wiry, scruffy love muffin I had ever met. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Rosie’s metal hip hasn’t stopped her from being active with her mom. One of their favorite activities to do together is hitting the trails near their home. Rosie enjoys running up ahead to check things out, running back to Reagor to make sure she’s okay, then running up ahead again. Reagor says Rosie is small, but mighty.

“She’s faster than most of the big dogs and will jump halfway up my body when she hasn’t seen me in more than 10 minutes!” 

Rosie has been a fantastic companion to Reagor throughout the pandemic — from adventuring on trails to playing chase in the house, Rosie’s other passions include stealing food off of plates when no one’s looking and munching on her sister’s large dog bone.

Reagor and Rosie decided to fundraise for Texas Sweats for Pets because it combines both of their passions. Rosie, being a rescue, wants to help fellow strays find their forever companions. Similarly, Reagor supports the shelter, but she’s also a “health nut” who studied and works in the nutrition field. 

“The event allowed me to help Austin Pets Alive! find dogs like Rosie a home, while also letting me support the important work It’s Time Texas does through building healthier communities across the state. And I got a workout in!” says Reagor. 

It’s Time Texas brings people, communities and organizations together to take action that supports health for all, now and for generations to come. Through events like these, the organization aims to elevate health as a priority so that all Texans can thrive. In partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, It’s Time Texas spearheaded the event and led three days of interactive, virtual workout classes for those registered, taught by It’s Time Texas master instructors. They also included exclusive segments featuring adoptable cats and dogs from the shelter. Other ways to participate included making a donation to the cause or setting up a pet fundraiser page. By partnering with individuals, employers, schools and communities, It’s Time Texas makes health a personal and collective priority while advancing systemic change. 

The Texas Sweats for Pets Fundraiser was quite the success, thanks to all of the participants and animals. Rosie is proud to be “Top Dog” this year, and she hopes to raise even more money next year for the cause! The competition will be “ruff-ruff!”

For more information on the nonprofit, It’s Time Texas, visit their website at https://itstimetexas.org/ or like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itstimetx.