I found Baxter on PetFinder in 2002 when looking to adopt my first dog. He was listed as a "sato" (mixed breed) from Puerto Rico with "special needs" – he was emaciated and had a noticeable neurological twitch that shook his tiny body. He was the only surviving puppy from his litter and was definitely a fighter. We battled this unknown illness for almost two years, and during that time he blossomed into a strong, energetic dog – his twitch slowly disappeared, he put on weight and even participated in recreational agility! He liked nothing better than a walk in the neighborhood, or a ride in the car with his muzzle out the window. It was the simple things in life that Baxter appreciated most, forcing the humans around him to stop and appreciate those things as well. He inspired me to work with several non profits in Puerto Rico dedicated to saving the animals there, and also to adopt my second sato, MacKenzie.
In November 2008 signs of a physical problem began to appear. During the next six months his condition deteriorated rapidly as his puppyhood illness seemed to reappear, limiting the strength in his hind quarters which affected his mobility. After dozens of tests, a diagnosis could not be found. On his 7th birthday he received his mobility cart from Eddie's Wheels and he quickly regained the freedom he had lost. Daily we met people that had never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter showed them that life does not stop because of a disability – he insisted we still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his "wheels" helped him do that with ease. In total he had 4 carts during the course of his journey, as his disability changed his cart needed to change as well.
Together we had a team of people that loved and supported us as each day brought new challenges. Baxter's unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life's challenges inspired me to continue to find ways to help him live with his disability, and to greet each day with love and patience.
Along the way we met some people that changed our lives, and Baxter enjoyed some "celebrity" status appearing in the local newspapers, in Bark Magazine, in the movie Fire House Dog and in the book Dog Joy. He was often greeted at events by name thanks to his page on Facebook and the many friends that wrote about our journey. He was my brave boy who filled my whole heart with love, but the attention he received from others warmed my heart beyond measure.
We established the "Baxter Parade", which took us from Boston to places like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire - visiting all the must see landmarks and sampling local foods (lobster in Maine was a big hit)- he was allowed into many places most dogs do not get to go. Highlights of the Baxter Parade include Dog Mountain in Vermont, Baxter Brewery tour in Maine, Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey, Tiffany in New York, getting out on the field at a Pawtucket Red Sox game and out on the ice at a Worcester Sharks game. These trips brought adventure, new sights and smells to Baxter, and he brought his positive energy and enthusiasm to all those we met along the way.
We finished the journey together, and I am so thankful to have shared my life with this brave little dog with a big heart who shared his love of life with all that met him.
My PupDawg, thank you my brave boy for taking me on this wonderful journey. You have touched the lives of many and have left your mark on my heart for eternity. As I told you every night at bedtime - The moon and the stars, the sun and the ocean – that's how much I love you.
I want to thank all of the members that come to visit Baxter's page and leave such wonderful tokens, it means the world to me and is appreciated more than you could know.
Baxter's sister MacKenzie and his brother Indigo.
In November 2008 signs of a physical problem began to appear. During the next six months his condition deteriorated rapidly as his puppyhood illness seemed to reappear, limiting the strength in his hind quarters which affected his mobility. After dozens of tests, a diagnosis could not be found. On his 7th birthday he received his mobility cart from Eddie's Wheels and he quickly regained the freedom he had lost. Daily we met people that had never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter showed them that life does not stop because of a disability – he insisted we still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his "wheels" helped him do that with ease. In total he had 4 carts during the course of his journey, as his disability changed his cart needed to change as well.
Together we had a team of people that loved and supported us as each day brought new challenges. Baxter's unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life's challenges inspired me to continue to find ways to help him live with his disability, and to greet each day with love and patience.
Along the way we met some people that changed our lives, and Baxter enjoyed some "celebrity" status appearing in the local newspapers, in Bark Magazine, in the movie Fire House Dog and in the book Dog Joy. He was often greeted at events by name thanks to his page on Facebook and the many friends that wrote about our journey. He was my brave boy who filled my whole heart with love, but the attention he received from others warmed my heart beyond measure.
We established the "Baxter Parade", which took us from Boston to places like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire - visiting all the must see landmarks and sampling local foods (lobster in Maine was a big hit)- he was allowed into many places most dogs do not get to go. Highlights of the Baxter Parade include Dog Mountain in Vermont, Baxter Brewery tour in Maine, Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey, Tiffany in New York, getting out on the field at a Pawtucket Red Sox game and out on the ice at a Worcester Sharks game. These trips brought adventure, new sights and smells to Baxter, and he brought his positive energy and enthusiasm to all those we met along the way.
We finished the journey together, and I am so thankful to have shared my life with this brave little dog with a big heart who shared his love of life with all that met him.
My PupDawg, thank you my brave boy for taking me on this wonderful journey. You have touched the lives of many and have left your mark on my heart for eternity. As I told you every night at bedtime - The moon and the stars, the sun and the ocean – that's how much I love you.
I want to thank all of the members that come to visit Baxter's page and leave such wonderful tokens, it means the world to me and is appreciated more than you could know.
Baxter's sister MacKenzie and his brother Indigo.
I found Baxter on PetFinder in 2002 when looking to adopt my first dog. He was listed as a "sato" (mixed breed) from Puerto Rico with "special needs" – he was emaciated and had a noticeable neurological twitch that shook his tiny body. He was the only surviving puppy from his litter and was definitely a fighter. We battled this unknown illness for almost two years, and during that time he blossomed into a strong, energetic dog – his twitch slowly disappeared, he put on weight and even participated in recreational agility! He liked nothing better than a walk in the neighborhood, or a ride in the car with his muzzle out the window. It was the simple things in life that Baxter appreciated most, forcing the humans around him to stop and appreciate those things as well. He inspired me to work with several non profits in Puerto Rico dedicated to saving the animals there, and also to adopt my second sato, MacKenzie.
In November 2008 signs of a physical problem began to appear. During the next six months his condition deteriorated rapidly as his puppyhood illness seemed to reappear, limiting the strength in his hind quarters which affected his mobility. After dozens of tests, a diagnosis could not be found. On his 7th birthday he received his mobility cart from Eddie's Wheels and he quickly regained the freedom he had lost. Daily we met people that had never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter showed them that life does not stop because of a disability – he insisted we still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his "wheels" helped him do that with ease. In total he had 4 carts during the course of his journey, as his disability changed his cart needed to change as well.
Together we had a team of people that loved and supported us as each day brought new challenges. Baxter's unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life's challenges inspired me to continue to find ways to help him live with his disability, and to greet each day with love and patience.
Along the way we met some people that changed our lives, and Baxter enjoyed some "celebrity" status appearing in the local newspapers, in Bark Magazine, in the movie Fire House Dog and in the book Dog Joy. He was often greeted at events by name thanks to his page on Facebook and the many friends that wrote about our journey. He was my brave boy who filled my whole heart with love, but the attention he received from others warmed my heart beyond measure.
We established the "Baxter Parade", which took us from Boston to places like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire - visiting all the must see landmarks and sampling local foods (lobster in Maine was a big hit)- he was allowed into many places most dogs do not get to go. Highlights of the Baxter Parade include Dog Mountain in Vermont, Baxter Brewery tour in Maine, Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey, Tiffany in New York, getting out on the field at a Pawtucket Red Sox game and out on the ice at a Worcester Sharks game. These trips brought adventure, new sights and smells to Baxter, and he brought his positive energy and enthusiasm to all those we met along the way.
We finished the journey together, and I am so thankful to have shared my life with this brave little dog with a big heart who shared his love of life with all that met him.
My PupDawg, thank you my brave boy for taking me on this wonderful journey. You have touched the lives of many and have left your mark on my heart for eternity. As I told you every night at bedtime - The moon and the stars, the sun and the ocean – that's how much I love you.
I want to thank all of the members that come to visit Baxter's page and leave such wonderful tokens, it means the world to me and is appreciated more than you could know.
Baxter's sister MacKenzie and his brother Indigo.
In November 2008 signs of a physical problem began to appear. During the next six months his condition deteriorated rapidly as his puppyhood illness seemed to reappear, limiting the strength in his hind quarters which affected his mobility. After dozens of tests, a diagnosis could not be found. On his 7th birthday he received his mobility cart from Eddie's Wheels and he quickly regained the freedom he had lost. Daily we met people that had never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter showed them that life does not stop because of a disability – he insisted we still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his "wheels" helped him do that with ease. In total he had 4 carts during the course of his journey, as his disability changed his cart needed to change as well.
Together we had a team of people that loved and supported us as each day brought new challenges. Baxter's unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life's challenges inspired me to continue to find ways to help him live with his disability, and to greet each day with love and patience.
Along the way we met some people that changed our lives, and Baxter enjoyed some "celebrity" status appearing in the local newspapers, in Bark Magazine, in the movie Fire House Dog and in the book Dog Joy. He was often greeted at events by name thanks to his page on Facebook and the many friends that wrote about our journey. He was my brave boy who filled my whole heart with love, but the attention he received from others warmed my heart beyond measure.
We established the "Baxter Parade", which took us from Boston to places like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire - visiting all the must see landmarks and sampling local foods (lobster in Maine was a big hit)- he was allowed into many places most dogs do not get to go. Highlights of the Baxter Parade include Dog Mountain in Vermont, Baxter Brewery tour in Maine, Carlo's Bakery in New Jersey, Tiffany in New York, getting out on the field at a Pawtucket Red Sox game and out on the ice at a Worcester Sharks game. These trips brought adventure, new sights and smells to Baxter, and he brought his positive energy and enthusiasm to all those we met along the way.
We finished the journey together, and I am so thankful to have shared my life with this brave little dog with a big heart who shared his love of life with all that met him.
My PupDawg, thank you my brave boy for taking me on this wonderful journey. You have touched the lives of many and have left your mark on my heart for eternity. As I told you every night at bedtime - The moon and the stars, the sun and the ocean – that's how much I love you.
I want to thank all of the members that come to visit Baxter's page and leave such wonderful tokens, it means the world to me and is appreciated more than you could know.
Baxter's sister MacKenzie and his brother Indigo.
