A West Highland White Terrier named Belle earned the highest-ever bid of $30,000 during Saturday’s Little Yellow Dog Auction in Dakota Dunes, S.D.
Proceeds from the charitable auction are donated to the city’s Mr. Goodfellow fund. Now in its 92nd year, Mr. Goodfellow’s 2006 goal is to raise $90,000 to ensure 7,000 Siouxland children receive toys for Christmas.
The winning bidders were Dr. Ralph and Julie Reeder of Dakota Dunes. Reeder, who is president of Siouxland Surgery Center in Dakota Dunes, said he bid on the dog on behalf of all the surgery center physicians.
The plan was to give Belle away as a gift, Julie Reeder told the (South Dakota) Journal. But as their children petted and played with the dog, Reeder said she could tell Belle was theirs for good.
“I think we’ll keep her,” said Dr. Reeder, joking “I’m doing whatever my wife says. That usually works for me.”
Kent Hansen of Sioux City, Iowa, donated this year’s puppy, and Brenda Schoenherr-Thelen of Dakota Dunes provided a painting of Belle that was sold with the dog. The Reeders’ also received free in-home obedience training for the new puppy as part of the auction package.