Nicknames: PupDawg! - Bubba - Fire Dawg - Bouncin' Big Wheels Baxter (by my pal Muffin) Doggie Dynamics:
Energy
sleepy
energetic
Intelligence
silly
genius
Friendliness
aggressive
affectionate
Playfulness
not playful
very playful
Disposition
anxious
calm
Sun Sign:
Quick Bio:
-mutt
-disabled
-dog rescue
Gotcha Date: October 4th 2002 Birthday: June 8th 2002 Likes: Riding in his Fire Engines- Running - playing catch - tug of war - agility jumps Pet-Peeves: When his Mom dresses him in silly clothes - barking dogs on TV - water Favorite Toy: Stuffed toys that "talk", any toy his sister is currently playing with Favorite Food: ZiwiPeak - Bully Sticks - Chicken Jerky - Ice Cream - treats from Baxter's Barkery Favorite Walk: Any walk is cause for wagging tails and happy paws! Best Tricks: Balancing a cookie on his nose, he will toss it in the air and catch it! Baxter also knows some American Sign Language Arrival Story: Visit our website to read more about Baxter www.pupdawg.wordpress.com
I found Baxter on PetFinder in 2002 when looking to adopt my first dog. He was listed as a sato 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 likes nothing better than a walk in the neighborhood, or a ride in the car with his muzzle out the window. It is the simple things in life that Baxter appreciates most, forcing the humans around him to stop and appreciate those things as well.
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 meet people that have never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter shows them that life does not stop because of a disability – we must still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his “wheels” help him do that with ease.
Today we have a team of people that love and support us as each day brings new challenges. Baxter’s unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life’s challenges inspire me to continue to find ways to help him live with his disability, and to greet each day with love and patience. We have come a long way together, and I am so thankful to share my life with this brave little dog with a big heart who shares his enthusiasm for life with all that meet him. Bio: Sato is a slang term for "Street Dog" in Puerto Rico. Baxter is a terrier/whippet mix, but is affectionately known as a Sato www.saveasato.org for information on the plight of these animals. Forums Motto: Wag and Roll The Groups I'm In: "DOGSTERHOLICS", *~*JoyRiders*~*, ♥All Fur Fun♥, *¨¨*DOGGIE CONNECTION*¨¨*, 2 Dogs 2, Blankets for Babies, Welcome Waggin' for Dogsters and Catsters, Baking for Dogs, Bay State Barkers, Boricua Dogs & Cats Unite!!!, Boston Dogs, Doggie Do Gooders, Dyson Dogster/Catster, Fashion Club, Febreze® Pet Odor Eliminator™, Firehouse Dogsters, Flyin K9s-Agility Dogs, Holistixperience!, Jodidogs Support, Krewe of Barkus on Dogster, Massachusetts All Dogs Club, Massachusetts Mutts, Massachusetts Mutts and Mixes Against Breed Discrimination (purebreeds welcome too!), Meatball POTP Group, Pawsome Pages, Pets with Crafty Parents, President Isabel's Animal Abuse Commission, PURE MUTTS, Round up Rowdy's Helpers, Rusty's Terrible Group, Samuel Jacob's Pals, Sato Crew, Soul Kitchen- Yum!, Spanish Speakers Pups and Kitties, The Catster and Dogster Railroad, The FURminator® Group For Dogs, The Pups From Boston My Occupation: Official Taste Tester of Baxter's Barkery (www.baxtersbarkery.com)
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras
When I decided the time was right for a dog, the only choice I considered was adoption, I wanted to be able to give a forever home to a dog in need. I found Baxter on PetFinder in 2002 when looking to adopt my first dog. He was listed as a sato 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 participating in recreational agility! He likes nothing better than a walk in the neighborhood, or a ride in the car with his muzzle out the window. It is the simple things in life that Baxter appreciates most, forcing the humans around him to stop and appreciate those things as well.
Baxter's adoption connected me with rescue group in Puerto Rico, and we became involved in helping them through fund raising and public relations. We were able to assist several hundred dogs on their journey to their forever homes through our work, spreading the joy and love that comes from adopting a dog. We eventually adopted his sister, MacKenzie from the same organization.
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 meet people that have never before seen a dog in a cart, and Baxter shows them that life does not stop because of a disability – we must still have our daily romp in the neighborhood, and his “wheels” help him do that with ease.
When I adopted Baxter I simply wanted a dog to share my days with, but I never expected the gift I received. Baxter’s unyielding energy, happiness and willingness to accept life’s challenges continue to inspire me to greet each day with love and patience. We have come a long way together, and I am so thankful to share my life with this brave little dog with a big heart.
"You can't change the world by adopting an animal, but you can change the whole world for that animal." - Author Unknown
We are hosting a photo contest on Facebook - a $5 donation to Save a Sato (the rescue Kenzie and I are from) will get you one entry. The prizes include gift packs from Planet Dog, Kong, Polka Dog Bakery, Bark Magazine, Modern Dog Magazine and some kitty prizes too!
Join us in the contest or to vote for your favorites!
We have had a great summer, I have met a lot of great people that have helped me on my journey as a "disabled" dog, and everyone has been so wonderful!
My "team" includes Dr. S and the wonderful techs at Woburn Animal Hospital, I go visit them once a week for acupuncture, and a few handfuls of cookies. I love them, even though they poke me with needles! Lois and Mary at Good Dog Aquatics take me for a swim every week, and make me walk over all sorts of crazy things, and make me balance on crazy balls and stuff. I get them back though, when I am in the pool I make sure to wag my tail the whole time, and splash anyone within 10 feet of the pool! Dr. Z still checks up on me and Mom and makes sure all my meds are working properly. Dr. T at Mass Vet Referral checks on my insides, via MRI and brain scans, you should see how perfect I look inside! The wonderful team at Eddie's Wheels have my cart fitted and working perfectly, and now I can run! They even invited us to their picnic, where I got to race around with other cart dogs!
You would think this would be enough for anydog, but no, not with my Mom. She went out and bought a pool, and my pal Lois gave her instructions on how to do my hydro therapy exercises at home. She made new agility equipment for me just like they have at physical therapy, and now I have to "work out" every single day! We rotate what we do in the yard so each day is different, but it is hard work for sure! My reward for all this hard work is free cart time, where I get to zoom around with no leash! I can go super fast without my leash on, and love my free play time the most.
Along our walks we get stopped quite a bit, I guess most people have never seen a dog in a cart before, and so I get lots of pats and attention, which makes me very happy! I am back to my old self again with the help of my cart, and that has made this my bestest summer ever!
Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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