Baxter
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself”-Josh Billings.
This brings me to Baxter, an off white, eight year old half pug, half bull dog that loves his companion Tom Cahoon. Tom acquired Baxter via an advertisement on Craig’s List about eight years ago.
Baxter resides in Pioneer and greets customers entering Pioneer Hardware. Baxter spends two days a week on his white rug beside the counter with Tom. Baxter enjoys greeting customers with one of his toys just in case they want to engage in a little play. But if that doesn’t happen, Baxter is always ready to point out where the dog treats are.
While Baxter enjoys spending time at the hardware store, he also loves to travel. Baxter has been coast to coast several times on excursions with Tom. Baxter can go hours without a break while Tom has a range of 3 hours. Sniffing around at each rest stop offers a variety of scents for a dog. Baxter is built low to the ground so he is close to the action. For Tom a rest stop takes about three minutes. For Baxter it’s a new sensory experience and takes about 30 minutes being very careful not to miss a scent.
Baxter’s memory is better than most. Tom stopped overnight in Evanston, Wyoming at a Best Western Motel. The next day they pulled up stakes and continued the 2000 mile journey. On the return trip Evanston was a place for a break. Tom decided to pull over at the same Best Western where they stayed a few days earlier. After Baxter had finished his investigation, he led Tom to the room they stayed in just days before.
During winter, Baxter enjoys playing fetch with snowballs. Tom throws a snowball into a snow bank and Baxter is off to retrieve it. Baxter digs through the fluffy powder until he finds the hardened snow and rushes back to Tom. By then Tom has made a second snowball and throws it. Baxter drops the ball just retrieved and heads off again for the fun of digging out the next snowball.
When visiting the Pioneer Hardware store be sure to take time to say “hi” to Baxter. He’ll be glad to greet you and show you the treat jar. In return he’ll offer to play tug of war with his favorite toy.
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