08/25/2026
My beloved Baxter. ❤️
There are some losses that break your heart, and then there are losses that change you forever.
While my heart and soul were already in fight mode as our beloved Baily battled cancer, our boy Baxter became sick. We made trip after trip to the vet. We made calls. He was treated for kennel cough, but nothing helped. Nothing improved.
Then came the X-rays.
The devastating news: Baxter had lung cancer.
I left that day broken and shattered. Two of my beloved dogs were fighting cancer at the same time.
And then, just a week later, Baily crossed the rainbow bridge.
I truly believe she was saying, “Now you fight for Baxter.”
But my poor boy didn’t have long to fight. Just one week after Baily, Baxter crossed the rainbow bridge too.
We had adopted Baxter when he was only a year old. He came storming into our house like he already knew he was home. And from that very first moment, he stole the heart of everyone who ever met him.
Baxter loved hard. He gave himself completely to everyone.
Every time someone walked through the door, he would grab whatever happened to be nearby and bring it to them as his gift. That was Baxter. His way of saying, “I’m so happy you’re here.”
He lived life large. He embraced every single day with a joy that was impossible not to feel.
And going up north? That was his absolute favorite. The moment we opened the truck door, he would jump out and race around like all the excitement in the world had been bottled up inside him and he finally got to let it loose.
He was adored by us and by his two Puggle sisters.
When Baxter died, the dark place I was already in became even darker and deeper. I was paralyzed with grief.
And so was our Puggle girl.
Watching her grieve, watching her become depressed and lose that spark, was more than my heart could take.
With the very last bit of strength I had, I went looking for a Puggle puppy.
And then came Riley.
I believe with all my heart that Riley was sent to me by Baily and Baxter.
He came into our lives when we needed him most. And for months, through the tears and the sobbing and those incredibly painful days, Riley helped me and Jada find our way through the grief.
I will always believe there was a little bit of Baily and Baxter in him.
Baxter, my boy… I love you forever and always. There will never be a day that I don’t miss you. You gave us a lifetime of love in the 6 years we were blessed to have you, and I will carry that love with me forever.
And when my time comes and I walk toward those gates, I know you will be there waiting for me.
And I know you’ll have something in your mouth to bring me.
Just like you always did. ❤️
Until we meet again, my beautiful boy.
Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever my Baxter. 🌈🐾
