Re: Baxter – labrador x – HOMED

[Maglou]

Hope this weather is not keeping all the doggies and their people from their daily walks. We are lucky here as apart from frozen pipes we have very little snow and can still get out and about quite easily.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS from the handsome Baxter. XXXXXXXXXXXXX

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[Maglou]

Baxter is having a very sociable Christmas.
He met our neighbour’s dog Max on Christmas Eve for the first time and they were romping away in the back garden in no time.
Here are Max and Bax skating on the frog pond.

Then on Christmas Day my husband’s friend came over for dinner with his two rescued Alsations. I cannot deny being a bit worried about this as I knew they were big dogs. I had met Kim before but not Jack whose reputation preceded him as being somewhat large and boisterous.
I was also a bit concerned about how Bax would react to not one but two large dogs infiltrating his space.
Well it just goes to show that you can never underestimate this fantastic boy and in no time he and Jack were gallivanting around the garden like old friends and they didn’t stop all day. It was amazing.
Here is my 6′ 4” son holding Bax.

And here he is disappearing behind Jack, who I have to say treated it all in good fun.

This poor lad was due to be pts the day after Bill went to look at him.
He wasn’t told this until after he had decided to take him. Isn’t he handsome? He is a real gentle giant.
I am so proud of the way Bax behaved. He was an impeccable host.
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[Maglou]

Bax slept on the chair again last night as he has relinquished his bed to our new arrival, Hallie. He obviously sees her need as greater than his……..and so does she!
What happened to the timid little girl I was so concerned about yesterday?
She woke up with a little devil on her shoulder, that’s what!
First she tucked into a hearty breakfast (she wouldnt touch anything yesterday morning), then she showed signs of liveliness when I tried to play with her and she raced out of the room into the lounge. Ever Ready Bax immediately twigged that this was a game and started trying to get her going.
She growled at him twice and ran out the door into the garden and well, you can see the result! They went harum scarum round and round the garden. It was hilarious.

Bax is a blurry dripping mess as he exits the frog pond.

Then our neighbour turned up with Max and and the three of them got on like a house on fire.
She is a totally different dog today. It’s wonderful to see her personality starting to shine already. It’s more than we could have hoped for. Hallie and Bax get on so well together and are really relaxed around one another.
Imagine what they will be like six months or so down the road.
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[Maglou]

I have not the words to express how wonderful this dog is.
He is a total joy to us and has the most generous spirit in an animal I think I have ever encountered.
He has taken little Hallie into his life and home as if it was the most natural thing in the world and I am sure it is in no small part due to his sweetness that she has settled so well and so quickly.
I am certain that her housetraining has benefitted by his example as he is so clean and has always gone outside with her to show her what to do!
He has never tried to cover her scent indoors when she has had accidents even though he knew what she had done and so he has always been a good example to her. I’m sure that’s part of the reason she has learnt so fast.

He is amazing with one of our cats and he takes whole body parts into his mouth when they are playing, including her head but has never hurt her. She absolutely loves him!

It just goes to show how much potential these rescue dogs have if they are given a chance and what a great job DID are doing.
Keep up the fantastic work!
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[Maglou]

Baxter loves to fetch a ball but the problem is he loves to chew them too and everything ball like has got dents in it! (At the very least!)
So I bought him a hard ball that is also too big for him to get in his mouth though that doesn’t stop him trying.
It’s hilarious watching him dribbling and kicking this thing all around the back garden. He flies around after it especially on the flagstones when it goes much faster.
The only drawback is that it tends to get stuck in various places and he can’t pick it up in his mouth so he tries to dig it out!
Nick had cut some twiggy branches off a willow tree and of course when the ball went into them it didn’t stop Bax going in after it regardless of what was in the way.
He is like the proverbial bull in a china shop.
:

And as for his lovely raccoon I bought him for Christmas, well.
Did anyone see the ads for them at Christmas time? I got it in Dunnes and it was advertised as a stuffingless safe toy for dogs.
There was a fox and a raccoon but I didn’t think it was a good idea to get the fox as I didn’t want him getting any ideas so I thought as we didn’t have raccoons in Ireland it was a pretty safe bet.
First of all the squeaks went, then the tail, then bit by bit it disintegrated as Baxter demolished it.
Hallie has even been wearing it as a coonskin hat from time to time.
Here’s what’s left.

He has had so much fun with it and he still tosses the bits all around the place and brings soggy furry raccoon remains and sticks them in your lap.
He is a fruit loop of a dog!
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[Trinity]

What is it about labs and ripping stuffed toys apart Trinity went through half a dozen in last couple of months Unfortunately the ones she has are stuffed ones so sitting room carpet looks in bits when she is finished "playing" with them Good thing that she just pulls the stuffing out and doesn`t eat it and have great time throwing it up in the air

[Maglou]

Hi Aggie, yes Bax doesn’t want to eat any of it he just loves tearing it to bits! I think it may be a bit of a lab thing like the sticks.
I love Trinity’s harness. It’s so cool!
I think Bax would have to have one with devil’s horns rather than angels wings though.
He is very good about anything that isn’t his and I have stuff lying all over the place that would be attractive to him if he found it or was given it.
Hallie came with a toy apple core and a little teddy but I haven’t given them to her because he would shred them.
I will introduce them one day and see how it goes but I don’t hold out much hope for them staying in one piece!

[Maglou]

Just a quick update to say that Baxter continues to go from strength to strength and is a wonderful boy. We can’t imagine being without him now.
I am in Australia until April visiting my daughter and her family so I can’t give first hand reports but I am getting emails about his antics!
I am hoping they will be coming to Ireland next year and I can’t wait to introduce them to Bax and Hallie. I know they will be a big hit.
If I can work out how to get pics up on here on an alien system I will.
Bax is enjoying the flood across the path on his walk and apparently there is a huge pile of sticks under the surface that will gradually be revealed as the water recedes. Nick reckons there will be a path blockage as they have been throwing them in the water for Bax and he has been diving down to get them.
I am just worried that he will have forgotten me when I come back!!
I would be devastated.
That’s the price you have to pay for your children living over the other side of the world.

[DID Rescue]

No need to worry he will never forget who loves him no matter how long you are away.
You have to look after the human side of your family and I am sure Bax and Hallie would not expect any less and certainly won’t love you any less.
There will be major antics when you return……I can’t imagine the welcome.
I am sure you have been visiting a few pet shops over there.

[Maglou]

Thanks Twist for your consoling words, they brought tears to my eyes
I would so love to see the two but know that they are being loved and cared for at home and that is a comfort.
I think you are probably right, they don’t forget who cares for them and I’m sure it will be a wonderful reunion when I get home.
Looking forward to seeing Bax and Hallie is at least something to take my mind off leaving the lot at this end!!!
My poor emotions are on a rollercoaster!

[Maglou]

Back home at last to my beautiful doglets Baxter and Hallie. I was so worried they wouldn’t know me but they were overjoyed to see me!
Bax has put on a few pounds in my absence! I am trying to walk them off him and he doesn’t mind a bit!
He is fantastic and really happy and healthy and absolutely part of the family. He and Hallie get on so well and play together and chase one another until they can’t run any more.
I missed them so much when I was away so it’s great to be back in the action here. It’s always sad to leave my daughter and her family in Aus but it was something to look forward to when I came home.
Bax is the softest, daftest boy with a great sense of humour. He is also the nosiest! We recently had our dishwasher replaced and he loves it when it’s being loaded up and he can get a few licks in before the door closes! He is into everything and I mean everything! He is a real character and I can’t imagine life without him now.
I seem to be so busy since I got home, trying to catch up with myself.
I will post up some pics in the next few days.

[liv]

I just knew baxter would give you a great welcome home. isnt that the wonderful thing about our pets – that they are always so happy to see us when we come in the door. He must be very happy to have his family together again.

[Maglou]

Hi Liv, yes Bax is a very happy boy to have his family back together again.
He is such a complex character. He still has trouble meeting and greeting in that he barks at new people even though he’s pleased to see them which can be offputting for them as he sounds fierce and pretty dangerous. He also still jumps up a lot especially when he is pleased to see you or is excited about going out for a walk. I wouldn’t mind but he’s such a lump and doesn’t realise his own strength.
He is as mad as a hatter and loves tearing around the place with Hallie. He is incredibly fast and strong. He is really good in the house though and as well as being extremely clean there are things everywhere that he could, if he wanted to, completely shred or destroy yet he only chews his bone or his own toys. He is really gentle and loving with us and the cats too (apart from when he’s excited) and loves cuddles and tickles. He is such a funny boy but we love him as he loves us, warts and all!
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[kaydoyle]

Wow..he is stunning and looks so happy Well done

[Maglou]

Hi Kathy,he is a beauty isn’t he? I can’t express the joy he has brought to us. He’s one in a million and we love him so much.
He is getting his summer coat and he’s just so glossy! What a handsome boy he is. We are very proud of him.

[Author]

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