The BIG Day!

Ready for a good breakfast to give me energy for the big event!

Telling Callie goodbye as I was leaving for the Walk...she was happy to stay home!

Well, the Walk lived up to my expectations, and I had a grand time! In fact, it was so much fun that I was just too tired to post last night. As soon as we got home, my mom and I took a nap. We desperately needed it since I woke up at 5:15am yesterday just ready to go. Mom wasn't overly thrilled with that wake-up hour, but she understood...well, after she had a cup of coffee.

We got to the Walk around 10am...WOW what a scene! There were dogs and people everywhere, so I became uber-excited to see everyone and everything. My mom said she had a hard time controlling me in the beginning but then I settled down. It was so fun....lots of people came up to me because they recognized me from the posters and t-shirts. I even saw an old friend that lives down the street from my foster family...it was really good to see her again, and I even had my picture taken with her and her friends. I felt so loved! I have to confess being a star is A LOT of fun!

When it came time for the actual Walk to start, lots of people applauded me as I walked from the stage to the start line. Mom was begging me to slow down and not pull so hard, but I was just so excited!! The Durham Bulls mascot, Wool E. Bull, and I led everything off, but we quickly lost him...we were really moving. Plus, I don't think Wool E. Bull enjoyed me mistaking his tail for a giant chew toy. Anyway, my mom and I walked with this nice lady and her dog, Stanley. I was a hot and tired pup when we finished. We hung around awhile longer to watch the fundraising awards be given out...it was awesome to see how many people were so dedicated to raising money for the APS. I know first-hand how important these donations are to the shelter.


Lots of people and dogs walking around Duke's East Campus...and the sun came out!

Oh, I also got an APS alumni bandanna which I am wearing proudly in some of these photos. I also saw many of the shelter staff that were so nice to me when I was staying there...it was great to see them again and show them how I've blossomed in my forever home. Plus, my mom enjoyed introducing me to several of her friends, and I was able to play with some dogs. All in all, it was just a fabulous day, and a big thank-you to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. A special shout-out to Mother Nature who cooperated and kept the rain away.

While I originally started this blog to promote the Walk, my mom and I have enjoyed it so much, we are going to keep it going. Check back for updates on my adventures and news on the APS.

Finally, my mom and I were successful in raising $1,100 for our part in the Walk. We are very grateful to those that supported us...most of whom do it annually. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

It was truly an honor for me (as well as a lot of fun...yes, I love attention!) to be the APS Spokesdog. I was so proud to be able to represent this organization that does so much to help the needy animals in our community. In my role, I just hope I was able to give back in some small way to the APS who gave me so much. I can't wait for next year!!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Mom and I celebrating a successful Walk!

Resting after I got home....a tired but happy Spokesdog!

Giddy with excitement!

We are down to 5 days until the Walk!! The APS has raised over $50,000 towards the goal of $80,000 which is terrific. My mom and I have raised over $1,000, and we are SO grateful to everyone who has so generously supported us. We are really excited to participate. My mom told me that I actually get to lead off the Walk...the announcer will tell everyone to follow me as I leave the stage and start the Walk. So fun!! It will be a wonderful day for this very important organization, and I hope to see you there. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates. It is VERY rainy here today....the backyard is full of water, and the rain is still coming down pretty hard, so I can't go outside to play. Bummer. My mom keeps saying we need the rain, but I really love being outside during the spring evenings. Oh well...maybe tomorrow.

I've included some photos of me and Callie enjoying the NC spring weather. I used to just lay on the deck to soak up the sunshine, and then I discovered that the lounge chair is oh-so-much more comfortable! Callie continues to get better....she received a great report at her 4-week check-up which is a relief. She went somewhere called "rehab" today, which Mom keeps saying is expensive but cheaper than paying for our college tuition. Not sure what that means, but I am ready to get my playmate back.

Ok, time for Dancing with the Stars....have to run! Hope to see you Saturday at the Walk for the Animals!!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Apparently, today is Mother's Day, and no one told me I was supposed to do special things for my mom to celebrate her. Argh! I found out when my mom asked me if Callie and I were going to bring her breakfast in bed. Callie looked at me as if it was all MY fault since she is still crate-bound and couldn't do anything. However, I argue Callie should have told me since this is my FIRST Mother's Day. After all, this time last year, I didn't have a mom so how was I supposed to know about this day? Even though I dropped the ball, I am very grateful to have a mom. Mom says I am forgiven and that my sweetness and unconditional love is enough for her.

Since this is Mother's Day, I do want to wish all the moms a wonderful day. Most people forget about the "animal moms," so I want to give them a special shout-out, especially to the ones who have rescued animals. Without your generosity and love, so many of us would not have moms to celebrate. And let's also remember there are a lot of motherless animals out there, so please remember to support the APS (or your local shelter) by donating, volunteering, and/or adopting your next pet. I promise you that by adopting homeless animals, every day will be like Mother's Day with all the thanks and love they will give you.

Speaking of support, the Walk (http://www.apsofdurham.org/what-we-do/events-2/walkfortheanimals/) is less than 2 weeks away! My mom has started her fundraising- thanks to all who have donated- and so far, the Walk has raised $33,693 towards the goal of $80,000. I am getting really excited for the big event and hope to see you there. People have been telling my mom they have seen my photo all around Durham. I am a STAR!

Baxter (woof woof!)

P.S. Callie update....she continues to recover and goes back for her 4-week post-op x-rays on Friday. Fingers crossed she gets good news and can start to spend more time out of her crate.

It's Go Time!

My mom told me there are only 20 days left until the Walk! Wow! It seems like only yesterday I was selected as the Walk Spokesdog, and now the big day is near. Time to get the fundraising machine going...

If you are interested in participating, please go to http://www.apsofdurham.org/walk-for-the-animals/#more-10146 to register. While this will be my first time attending (I have no idea where I was last year and glad I don't remember since I was homeless), my mom says it is a lot of fun. The Walk is held on Duke's East Campus where there is plenty of room for people and animals. Plus, there is shade and grass for "business." There are also lots of vendors and just a festive atmosphere as animal lovers unite to raise money for such a worthy cause. I am SO excited to go and be part of this fantastic event! My mom says I will probably wear her out since I tend to get overstimulated when there is a lot happening, but she said she will make sure she has a lot of beer at home for the after-party. Anyway, I do hope you will make plans to join us...and be sure to look for me. I would love to meet as many readers as possible!

In case you are wondering what your dollars do for the shelter, here are some examples:

• $500 provides 40 dogs with heartworm disease tests
• $250 treats 25 dogs for fleas and ticks
• $100 provides a cat with medical treatments needed for adoption
• $65 spays or neuters a pet to help with overcrowded shelters-- this is SO important to ending pet overpopulation!
• $50 feeds all of the cats for one day

So, donations of all sizes are critical since they add up to make a huge difference. My mom and I are really excited about our own fundraising efforts.

On another note, Callie asked me to thank everyone for their get well wishes. She is 2 weeks post-op now and doing well. She had her staples removed on Friday, and she was SO excited to be rid of her "party hat" (a.k.a. e-collar). She is still crate confined and going a little stir crazy, but she has good use of her repaired knee and making great progress. I'm looking forward to getting my playmate back.

Have a good one!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Get Well Soon, Callie!

Well, poor Callie had knee surgery (TPLO to be exact) on Friday, so my mom and I have been consumed with taking good care of her. I always knew Callie had bad knees since she couldn't run with me, but I had never heard of surgery until my mom broke the news to us on Wednesday. My mom took her on Friday morning, and I was really sad...I know my mom was as well, and she was also very worried. However, we got the good news around lunchtime that Callie had done well, and the surgeon was pleased with what he was able to do for her.

Callie came home on Saturday, and my mom says she will have to stay in her crate for 4 weeks. BIG BUMMER. However, if all goes well, then after 4 weeks, she can gradually ease into physical activity again, and hopefully after 8 weeks, she can resume her normal life. Mom and I slept on an air mattress next to her crate the first night. We were going to do that again last night, but it now has a hole in it (I swear I didn't do it!), so we opted for the couch last night.

I have tried to be a really good boy...I don't agitate her...just sit quietly by her kennel. My mom says I have to go into my kennel sometimes, so she can focus on Callie...feeding her, icing her knee down, and just spending time with her. Callie was sporting a bright yellow bandage, but she had that removed today, so the incision can heal. She does have to wear this large plastic collar, so she won't lick her wound or pull her stitches out. She looks kind of funny, but I also feel really sorry for her because I know she doesn't like it. Anyway, I hope she heals fast and ask that all of you send her good wishes. My mom says this is not going to be easy, but the end result will be worth it.

The Walk is rapidly approaching, and I will post about that in a few days. Right now, my mom wants to walk me around the block before it gets dark. We've had a couple of long nights, so I think she is hoping Callie and I will go to bed early, so she can, too.

Baxter (woof woof!)

Blue Devils and Turtles (no, not the kind from Maryland!)

Well, Duke did it. It was an eventful night in my household on Monday. Callie and I were very worried about my mom because we had never seen her act that way. She was VERY tense, pacing, yelling, and cheering. When Duke finally won the thriller of a game, we all jumped and down in celebration. I jumped up on the couch to give my mom a high five and got her face instead. I felt bad, but she said didn't mind the scratch since she knew I didn't mean to do it. Anyway, congratulations to the Duke basketball team on such a fabulous season and the championship. I am already looking forward to next year since I will be a seasoned fan.

Moving on, I did a good deed yesterday...I rescued a turtle. I was outside enjoying the evening spring weather when I spotted something on the ground. I became instantly interested and kept trying to get a better look....my mom said I was acting all "stalker like." She started yelling at me to come because she couldn't tell what it was....she said if it was a snake, we were moving. I think she thought it was a baby bunny or squirrel, but then she could see the shell of the turtle and relaxed. We put the turtle in a bucket, and then Mom took it to a nice wooded spot in our neighborhood- away from the road and near a stream. I wanted to keep it as a pet, but Mom said she had no idea what to do with a turtle, and it would probably prefer to live in the wild instead of in a house with crazy dogs. Anyway, I was proud of myself for helping the turtle find a better home.

Finally, don't forget to register for the Walk if you haven't already- http://www.apsofdurham.org/about-the-walk-for-the-animals/#more-6857. I am REALLY getting excited for it and look forward to seeing you there!

It is beautiful weather here this weekend, so Callie and I have once been outside a lot enjoying the spring here. I hope you have been able to do the same!

Baxter (woof woof!)

One Shining Moment!

Apologies for being out of touch. I am not allowed to use the computer by myself, and my mom has been busy lately which is why I haven't posted. However, she has promised me she will help more frequently, especially as we get closer to the Walk. I've missed talking to my peeps!

I am so pleased and proud to announce that the Tails at Twilight Gala raised over $85,000 this year (http://www.apsofdurham.org/2010-tails-at-twilight-gala/#more-9381)! This is tremendous, and these critical funds will allow the shelter to maintain its operations as well as make some much-need enhancements, including air conditioning the back kennels. If you have ever spent time in NC during the summer, you understand why this improvement is needed. A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard on the Gala as well as to those who attended and so generously opened their wallets. I am looking forward to an equally- if not more- successful fundraising effort with the Walk. The Gala was definitely a shining moment for the APS.

In other news, spring has definitely arrived. Callie and I have been enjoying more time outdoors, especially since my mom bought an umbrella for the deck. While my mom sometimes calls me a "sun god" because I like to bask in the warmth of sunshine, I am mindful of its harmful effects, and I do want to keep my youthful appearance. We spent a good part of yesterday enjoying the outdoors- see photos. I do have to say the pollen is a little annoying...it causes me to make this hacking noise which I don't think my mom and Callie enjoy hearing.

Finally, the real reason this post is titled "One Shining Moment" is that Duke is playing for the National Championship tonight, and this is the name of the theme song for the tournament. My mom has been singing it ever since she got home-- between us, she is a little off-key. Anyway, I'm not sure I get March Madness, but my mom is really excited about tonight's game. I slept through Saturday night's semifinal, but she says I need to stay awake tonight because if Duke wins, it will be history. Callie says she remembers the 2004 Final Four-- apparently, my mom actually went to the games and came home not a happy camper because Duke lost in the semifinals. Callie has told me we really need Duke to win because then Mom will be in a great mood which will mean good things (i.e. treats!) for us. So, in that spirit, Go Duke!

Baxter (woof woof!)