Bon Appetit!

I LOVE food. Breakfast and dinner are my favorite times of the day. I'm always up for a snack. I am not picky about what I eat except I did NOT like these gourmet dog biscotti treats my mom once bought me and Callie. She said they were expensive, but I didn't care...as soon as I put the biscuit in my mouth, I promptly spit out. Expensive or not, they were NOT tasty.

Some of my favorite foods are apples, carrots, bread (yes, I am a carb addict...no Atkins diet for me), peanut butter, and cheese just to name a few. I like to help my mom cook (or more like check out what she is doing on the counter to see what is up there for me), but she doesn't find it so helpful and is always telling me to get down. In fact, she just made a tomato soup which smells yummy, but she told me repeatedly I cannot have any because it contains onions, which I guess are bad for dogs. Oh well.

Given that onions are bad for me-- as are many other people foods, I thought it might be helpful to post this link-- http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=1030-- as a reminder of what is unsafe to feed your pet. We are very sly when it comes to food, so it is important you keep toxic foods out of our reach no matter how much we may beg.

One of my favorite things was a dog birthday cake my mom made me and Callie for our birthdays. I watched my mom mix the batter, waited by the oven for it to bake, and then waited not-so-patiently for it to cool. While the wait was excruciatingly long, it was well worth it. The cake was SO yummy! And, the cake had turkey bacon as a topping which was an extra-special treat. I'm hoping we will start celebrating our half birthdays (or even quarter ones!) so we can have cake more often. The recipe is below.

Gosh, all this talk of food and cake has made me hungry....time to go see if I can use my cuteness to snag a doggie biscuit. Bon Appetit!

Baxter (woof woof!)

P.S. Check out Stella- one of the dogs currently at APS-- she looks a little like me, so I am really hoping she finds her forever home soon! http://www.apsofdurham.org/stella-2/#more-8209

Birthday Cake for dogs
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1/4 cup Margarine, softened
1/4 cup Corn oil
1 Jar strained chicken
1 cup shredded carrots
3 Eggs
2 Strips bacon fried and crumbled
Plain yogurt for icing .

Sift flour and baking powder together; set aside. In large bowl, cream
margarine until smooth.
Add corn oil, baby food and eggs and carrots; mix until smooth, gradually
add flour and baking powder to the mixture and blend till smooth . Pour batter
into well-greased and floured 8 inch round pan.
Bake in a preheated 325F. oven 60-70 minutes. Let cool on wire rack a few
minutes before removing from pan.
Ice cake with yogurt or cottage cheese.
Add crumbled bacon bits to top of cake...and have a HAPPY Birthday party!!

Guest blogger....Callie Bennett!

Today, my sister, Callie, is doing the blog...she is the one really running this show!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Hi!

Thanks to Bax for letting me have a little of the limelight. People have been asking me and my mom if I am jealous of Baxter's new celebrity status. Honestly, not in the least! I am excited for him, but I've never enjoyed being the center of attention (unless it is my mom's). Besides, I know I am the perfect one!

My story is very similar to Baxter's. I also had a rough start in life...I was left on the side of the road with my mom and my litter mates. Fortunately, someone picked us up and took us the Chatham County shelter where I was then put into foster care. This wonderful lady named Katie-- my mom says she is an angel given how many dogs she fosters...in the double digits!-- took me and my family to her house. I was VERY shy...at the adoption events, I would hide in the corner when people came to meet me. As a result, no one was overly interested in me until my mom came along and saw my true potential.


Anyway, some friends of my mom's had just adopted a dog from Katie's organization and volunteered at one of the adoption events. They encouraged my mom to come meet me at Katie's. Fortunately, my mom decided I was the dog for her. I have to give shout-outs here to Courtney and Tony for arranging the introduction as well as to my Aunt Jennifer who finally convinced my mom to adopt me. I know that my mom and I are forever indebted to you all for bringing us together!

I enjoyed 7 1/2 years as an only dog. My mom talked about getting a second dog but didn't pull the trigger until she fell in love with those damn ears (I know I shouldn't make fun given my own ears are not exactly proportional to the rest of me but have you seen Baxter's?? They are UNREAL!). At first, it was an adjustment having Baxter around- no more peace and quiet...you know puppy energy. But, after he figured out that I set the rules and started listening to me, we have settled into a fun routine. I enjoy having someone to play bitey face with, and he makes me look SO good since he misbehaves way more often than I do. I have taught him everything he knows. All in all, he has been a good addition to our household, and I have to confess he is pretty darn charming.

Like Baxter, I was very lucky to find my forever home and feel so loved. While starting out on the streets is never easy, there are success stories out there, and Baxter and I are perfect examples. If you have a rescue dog and/or support rescue organizations, such as the APS of Durham, thank you. Your support makes such a difference in the lives of the animals that desperately need your help.

In honor of Spay Day, I close with the wise words of Bob Barker, please remember to spay and neuter your pets (http://www.apsofdurham.org/resources/spay-neuter/). Ok, Baxter is bugging me to get off this computer and play...time to run! Cheers!

Callie McGraw Bennett

Spokesdog Photo Shoot...SMILE!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend. This weather is a welcome relief from the cold and rain. I've spent time outside which has been so nice. And, the backyard has dried up considerably, so I'm not tracking in as much mud which is making my mom happy.

A lot of people have asked me what I was doing when I heard I was going to be the 2010 APS Spokesdog. I wish I could say I was doing something fun like chasing squirrels or sleeping in the sun. Truth be told, I was actually recovering from a root canal. Yep, I broke off the tip of one of my "fang" teeth which is a bad (and expensive) thing. I don't remember my mom telling me the news because I was under the influence of anaesthesia. It wasn't until about 24 hours later that I could bask in the glory of my win (did you know I received 85% of the vote?!) and enjoy all the congratulations that came my way.

One of the first things I had to do was have my photo taken for the Walk publicity materials. We did the photo shoot at the shelter, and it was the first time I had been back there since I went into foster care. I enjoyed seeing old friends, and it was fun to see Kari again (she takes all the photos of the animals for the APS website, so she took the one that made my mom fall in my love with my ears- I've included it here). I think the pictures came out quite well-- I've included some, so you can see what a natural I am at posing.

It was fun to feel like a true coverboy for an afternoon; however, being "on" for the camera can be quite tiring, so I don't think I am ready for the red carpet lifestyle quite yet. I'm just glad I don't have a "toothy smile" so you can't see I am missing the tip of one of my teeth. I just hope my cuteness inspires people to participate in the Walk.

One final note....my visit to the shelter reminded me just how fortunate I was to wind up there instead of being left on the streets. However, when we pulled into our neighborhood, I looked at my mom with adoration and gratitude for giving me a better life (she says she will always remember that look on my face). While the shelter provides a wonderful safe haven for animals, the ultimate goal is ALWAYS to find them forever homes. My visit to the shelter reminded me just how lucky I am!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Love Will Keep Us Together!

This is a song from the 70s by Captain and Tennille. Even though I have NO idea who they are (my mom said they were the first concert she ever attended), this song seems appropriate since it was just Valentine's Day.

Love was definitely in the air at the annual Meet Your Match event held at the shelter this past Saturday. I am THRILLED to hear what a success it was. Over 100 people attended, and 17 (yes, 17!) animals were adopted which is just simply AMAZING. A BIG thank you to the shelter staff and volunteers who worked so hard.
You can read more at
http://www.apsofdurham.org/love-was-in-the-air/#more-8634 and see some photos. To the animals that were adopted-- congratulations on finding your forever homes. To the adopters--thank you for opening your hearts to these deserving animals.

I leave you today with these wise words from Captain and Tennille-- "look in my heart and let love keep us together." This worked out well for me in finding my forever home and for 17 other animals on Saturday!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Welcome to my blog!

Hello! Thanks for taking time to check out my blog. I am very excited to be the 2010 APS Spokesdog...it is an honor for me. Please check back from time to time as I tell you what it is like to be a local celebrity as well as let you know about a lot of great things happening at the APS of Durham (www.apsofdurham.org).

But, first, read below for more about me. This is the essay I wrote for the Spokesdog contest...it will give you a sense of me, my history, and why I believe the APS is so important. Enjoy!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Why I should be the APS Spokesdog

Before I tell you why I should be the APS Spokesdog, it is important you know a couple of things about me. First, while I may be the picture of health and happiness now, life didn't start out too great for me. Second, my ears do not act like radars nor can I use them to fly like Dumbo. People ask me these questions ALL the time! However, my ears did give me a chance to find my forever home...more on that in a bit, though.

I don't remember my first 6 months of life although I think I spent a good part of it on the streets. One day, a nice person in a white truck came and picked me up. I was unsure where we were going, but I trusted it had to be better than living outside and not knowing if and when I would get my next meal. The person took me to this place I heard people call "the shelter." While overwhelming in many ways with so many people and dogs around (gosh were some of them loud!), I was no longer outside, I was fed, and I had a blanket. There were also nice people who played with me and walked me. I heard people talk about "forever homes" and even saw a few dogs leave the shelter with their new families, but I could only dream it would happen to me.

A few weeks later, I went to a foster home where I received tremendous love and attention. I also learned to interact with people and how to behave in a house. I thought I was quite lucky to be given the chance to learn how to be a good pet versus a dog of the streets. After I had been there awhile-- adopted once only to be brought back (a bummer at first but turned out to be a blessing in disguise), this lady my foster mom called "Heather" came to visit. When Heather first arrived, she made some comment about how she just HAD to see my ears in person after seeing them in photos on the APS website. At first I was offended-- could she not see past my ears to the real me?? The real me that was sweet, smart, and looking for a forever home?? I was a tad offended by this superficial attitude, but I let it slide since this lady seemed nice enough. Little did I know...

Fast forward a few weeks, and I found myself living in Heather's home with her dog, Callie. I had my forever home!!! Now I have unconditional love (even when my behavior slips), daily walks, a fenced-in yard to play in, more toys than I can possibly destroy, and food...plus treats (I LOVE apples!). I worship my "sister" Callie and and think my mom is the best. Of course, she is typing this, so I have to be complimentary here if I want an evening snack. When I was in the shelter, I dreamed of finding such a place to call home, and I was lucky enough to find it. While my ears were often the source of amusement for some people and name-calling (bat dog comes to mind!), they actually served me well. My mom always says it was my ears she couldn't resist, and then I knew how to play on her weak spot, so she would choose me. Smart guy I am...dogs can have brains AND good looks.

But, I digress...the real point of this is to tell you why I should be the APS Spokesdog. Bottom line: the APS saved my life. When I was a stray, the APS took me in and gave me shelter, comfort, and food. The kind people at the shelter were literally lifesavers, and I can never repay that debt. By being the Spokesdog, however, I can help other animals in need by raising critical funds for the shelter. I know there is something called the "economy" which is hurting everyone and makes raising money for the APS all the more pressing. Without the APS, I probably would not be here today-- I don't like to think about what might have happened to me if I had been left on the streets. However, the APS gave me a new chance at life, and I'm the perfect success story for the organization. I want to help animals by representing all that they are and all that they can become if they are just given a chance. I can think of no better way for me to say "thank you" then if selected as the APS Spokesdog and being the "face" for the animals that so desperately need as much help as they can get. I would love the opportunity to proudly represent the APS of Durham and all the good it does for the thousands of animals that come through its doors every year.

Besides who can say no to giving money when they see my ears???