Oh What A Night!

My mom came home just raving about the Tails at Twilight Gala. Deborah (actually my grandmother but she prefers to be called Deborah) and my auntie came into town for the evening, and it was fun to have them visit. They all said everything was wonderful....the auction items were terrific, everyone was in a generous mood, and the evening was just a fantastic success. They are still tallying up the totals, and I will be sure to report back with the grand total of how much money was raised. In the meantime, a BIG and HEARTFELT thank you to everyone who attended and so generously opened their wallets as well as to those who donated items. Your support of the animals is amazing. My mom also said the APS was successful in raising over $15,000 for air conditioning in the back kennels. With summer coming, this is just a wonderful enhancement for the shelter...now the animals can rest in cool comfort instead of the hot summer air. Thank you, thank you!

I was sorry to miss the Gala, but I am really getting excited for the Walk. My mom says it is "go time" which means it is time to start the fundraising. The Walk is also critical for the APS to continue to serve the animals. Your dollars do make a difference, and I hope you are making plans to participate.

It is spring now which is so lovely. I spent a good part of the weekend outside playing with Callie and helping (or supervising, to be accurate) my mom clean up the yard. It is so nice to enjoy the spring air. We also watched a good bit of basketball as March Madness has griped my household. Ah, isn't this a splendid time of year?!

Well, gotta run...more to come soon!

Baxter (woof woof!)

On the eve of the eve of the BIG EVENT!

We are now 48 hours from Tails at Twilight, and I am THRILLED to say the event is sold out! To everyone who has bought tickets, thank you so much for supporting the APS. I know you are going to have a fabulous time at the auction. I have finally accepted that I am not going to be able to go since this is an "adults only" party...I understand, and I'm just hoping my mom will bring me a doggie bag of goodies.

In more good news, Stella was finally adopted after spending a year at the shelter. YEAH- I just LOVE these happy endings!!! Please click here to read about her new life http://www.apsofdurham.org/stella-4/#more-9231.

I saw the Walk promotional materials today with my picture on them. Ah, they are glorious! Yes, I know I am self-promoting here, but given this is my first marketing campaign, I think everything (i.e. ME) looks really good. I'm especially glad I went with the blue collar instead of the turquoise one since the blue collar looks great with the blue paw print logo. You should start seeing the posters around town, and I really hope you will participate in the Walk.

Finally, more good news (it is pouring in a GOOD way today!), the weather is supposed to be awesome this weekend...70s and sunny. Perfect for hanging out outside and enjoying spring. And, my mom just told me she is taking tomorrow off from work, which means Callie and I get more time to play over the next few days. Yippee!

Ok, I am off to watch March Madness and drink a cold one (actually, my mom said that, but it sounds cool)!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Busy week and hoops time!

Apologies for my lack of posting last week. It turned out to be a busy week although now I can't remember exactly what I did. The weather was nice in the early part of the week, and I actually went running with my mom. I enjoyed it, and she said I was very good. I ran in a straight line beside her (versus weaving back and forth in front of her which she says is dangerous), and it felt good to get some exercise. Now that it will stay lighter later, I hope she will take me more often.

This weekend was busy as well since it was the ACC Tournament. This is the first time I have experienced it, but I guess it is a very big event in this area. My mom actually went to the games while Callie and I cheered Duke on from home as we listened to the games on the radio. Callie and I were very excited Duke won and celebrated with my mom when she got home. I've included a couple of photos of me showing my Duke pride. Now, it is time for March Madness.

This is a belated shout-out, but one my mom's friends was in the half-time shot contest during the Duke-UNC game. David gave it a great effort even though he came up short. I hear David prefers kitty cats to dogs, but I will still congratulate him on a great effort.

Finally, less than one week to go before the APS' big evening. The last day to buy tickets is Tuesday, March 16th. You can purchase them at http://www.apsofdurham.org/tails-at-twilight-gala-tickets-on-sale/#more-8661. What better thing to do on a Saturday night than get dressed up and support the animals!

Happy spring!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Oscars, Schmoscars!

I watched the Oscars on Sunday night...did you?? I had never seen them before, but I was curious to see what "Hollywood's biggest night" was all about. Quite frankly, I didn't think the show was all that. I managed to stay awake until 10pm, but when they started giving out all the technical awards, I fell fast asleep. My mom tried to wake me when they awarded the BIG categories, but I was too far gone. Besides, I didn't really care that much, especially since I hadn't seen any of the nominated films. Maybe if "Hotel for Dogs" had been nominated, I would have cared more.

Now that I think about it, it seems like they should have a category for animal movies! Four-legged actors deserve some respect, too. Besides, I bet we would dress better than some of those celebrities. At least we wouldn't try to make our hair do unnatural things or go overboard on the spray tan. I heard some of those dresses cost THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars. I wouldn't have to spend a penny because my birthday suit would do just fine.

While Hollywood's biggest night may be the Oscars, the APS' is the Tails at Twilight Gala on March 20th. This is a VERY important night for the APS and its animals as the goal is to raise over $80,000. These funds are vitally critical to the APS' ability to care for all the animals that come through its doors. We REALLY want it to be a sell-out so please go to http://www.apsofdurham.org/tails-at-twilight-gala-tickets-on-sale/ to purchase your tickets now. It is an evening you don't want to miss!! I'm STILL trying to wrangle an invitation, especially since I heard they are serving beef short ribs....yum yum!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Game Day!

When I decided to blog about my life, I promised myself I would always be honest and tell it all- the good, the bad, and the ugly. Well, today I have to come clean about something, and I realize this revelation may upset some of my followers, but here it goes...I live in a DUKE household.

Yes, my mom is a Duke graduate and bleeds Duke blue. Apparently, today is a really big day as she keeps saying it is "Game Day." I have not fully comprehended what this means, but Callie says THE Game between Duke and Carolina takes place this evening, and my mom keeps saying that a Duke win would restore world order. I guess Callie has lived through both the emotional highs of when Duke wins this game (mom = good mood) and the lows of when they lose (mom = bad mood). Callie and I will be listening at home on the radio which is fine with me since I don't care much for hot and crowded places with lots of screaming people. My mom and Grandpa are going, though, and I know they will have fun. Anyway, may the best team win and since my mom feeds me, I have to add "go Blue Devils!"

On another note, you can check out some of the great auction items that will be available at the Tails at Twilight auction by going to http://www.apsofdurham.org/2010-live-auction-items/. I hope you have made your plans to attend! A big thank you to all the people who are working so hard to put together a successful event to benefit the animals.

Finally, don't forget the Walk is May 22nd. I am so excited about it and can't wait to attend (yes, this something I get to actually go to--- FINALLY!). The link to sign up is http://www.gifttool.com/athon/AthonDetails?ID=1942&AID=902. I look forward to seeing you there!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Is it spring yet??

Well, the weather this week in NC has been cold and rainy. We actually had a dusting of snow which wreaked havoc...it doesn't take much for Durham to go into panic mode when it comes to inclement weather. Schools are delayed, you can't find bread or milk in the grocery stores, and the television stations go to continuous coverage of the winter weather (they run the same stories over and over and over). I guess I get it, but unless the snow means Mom stays home from work, and we get to play, I could care less about the stuff.

We did have about 7 inches back in January. It was my first "official" snowfall since I don't really remember where I was last winter (not at the shelter yet). When I went outside, I was quite perplexed by the white wet stuff falling from the sky. However, then I realized I could romp around and play with Callie. I've included some photos here. The snow was fun for a few days, and then it started melting which meant A LOT of mud in the backyard. I'm not a fan of having my feet wiped, so when I would see my mom standing at the backdoor with a towel, I would take off. She didn't find it amusing as I did. She didn't understand why it was such a big deal to have my four paws wiped clean (she said it was not like I'm an octopus with EIGHT paws to wipe). Anyway, the muddy paw prints in the house didn't always go over so well, and that scary loud machine (I guess it is called a vacuum cleaner) made frequent appearances. Yeah, snow is fun in the beginning but not so fun when it starts melting and turns all sorts of funny colors.

Anyway, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring when I can be outside more and take long walks with my mom and Callie. My walking skills need some work-- according to my mom-- so that is a project for spring. Plus, I think my love of treats has caught up with me a little, so I want to be sure I am beach-body ready for when summer arrives.

Happy almost Friday!

Baxter (woof woof!)

Happy Birthday, Aunt Jennifer...and get ready to party!

Callie, my mom, and I are sending out lots of birthday wishes to my Aunt Jennifer! She is the reason my mom has Callie-- when my mom was hemming and hawing over the decision, Aunt Jennifer called her and said "go get that dog!" When AJ came to visit, she brought me a yummy bone. AJ and her husband, Jay, are fellow animal lovers- they share their home with their dog, Bosco, and their cats, Lincoln, Tess, and Dexter. AJ, my mom just poured a big glass of wine and is toasting you on your special day!

Speaking of special days, please mark your calendar for the Tails at Twilight event on March 20th. No, this event has nothing to do with vampires and Team Jacob vs. Team Edward...it is a wonderful evening to raise critical funds for the APS. You can purchase tickets here-- http://www.apsofdurham.org/tails-at-twilight-gala/#more-7055. The evening is a great reason to put on your fanciest outfit, have some fun at the auction, and enjoy delicious food all in the name of a wonderful cause. I am trying to wrangle an invitation since I would LOVE to get all dressed up and check out the action. Plus, I know I would be oh-so-handsome in my tuxedo. However, my mom says I may be more than the Washington Duke wants to handle....hmmm....

Happy Monday!

Baxter (woof woof!)