Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
“Name’s Baxter, and welcome to my story, where apparently turning 8.5 means qualifying for a senior discount AND another unexpected life crisis. Lucky me.”
👉 Apply to adopt me: https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app
📍 Sand Springs, OK — approved adopters must pick me up in person. No transports.
You know how when people reach retirement age, they start picking up new hobbies? Some take up tennis. Some buy an RV and decide they're going to see the country. And then there are the enlightened individuals who decide retirement means doing absolutely nothing, eating snacks at inappropriate hours, and taking naps so frequently nobody is sure when they're awake. Personally? I was leaning toward that last option. Well, let's just say my golden years have NOT turned out as planned. But before we get into my questionable retirement arrangements, I should introduce myself, huh?
The name's Baxter, and I'm an 8.5-year-old, 64-pound male Australian Shepherd mix. My story, at least the part this rescue knows, started about two years ago when a family took me in because I needed somewhere to go. The same goes for my friend Leland, who also came into rescue. It was supposed to be temporary. You know, the classic “They're just staying for a little while” arrangement that somehow turns into two whole years.
Anywho, fast-forward a couple of years, and just when I thought I had this whole having-a-home thing figured out, my family had to move and, due to HOA regulations, couldn't keep me. I do want to give them credit: they made sure I ended up somewhere safe, and I'm thankful they found this rescue. But at the same time... here I am. At 8.5 years old. Looking for a home. Again. I thought retirement involved a little more stability and a lot less starting over. But I guess that's why I'm here, isn't it? And apparently you're here too, so maybe these unexpected plot twists were leading me to you. Maybe we could start a brand-new chapter together?
Now, if you're picturing a senior dog who spends 22 hours sleeping and the other two contemplating whether it's worth getting up, my foster would laugh herself right out of her chair. I'm still very much a pup at heart. I get ridiculously happy about the little things, want to explore the world, and wake up wondering what wonderful things we might do together. Isn't that kind of sweet? Here I am, 8.5 years into life, having experienced more changes than I'd like, and I STILL wake up ready to make the most of the day. There's plenty of living left to do, and I'd love someone to share it with. For the record, my foster rates my energy a 9/10. Apparently my birthday candles and my energy levels have never met.
I'm definitely an adventure-seeker. Hiking trails? Absolutely. Exploring new places? Sign me up. Sitting quietly at a coffee shop while you sip an overpriced latte and discuss the weather? Ehhh. My foster doesn't think that's my ideal outing, and I agree. If we're going somewhere, I'd appreciate it if we could actually GO somewhere. Which brings me to car rides. I happily jump right in, no lifting required. But once we're moving? I pace, whine, and would very much prefer to ride shotgun—or perhaps we could just teleport. I'm basically the kid asking “Are we there yet?” and I'm not ashamed of it.
And speaking of getting places, I love walks! My foster calls me a “strong-willed explorer” at first, which I think is a polite way of saying I have places to be and little patience for your leisurely human walking speed. Once that initial excitement wears off, I settle down. I've been trained to walk on the left and generally stick to it. I do better walking alone with my person; walking beside another dog is something we're working on, though I can do okay once I feel safe with that dog. Which brings me to something you should know about me.
For all my energy and enthusiasm, I'm actually a pretty insecure guy. With people? I'm a professional social butterfly. I love meeting humans, bond quickly, and once you're one of MY people, congratulations! You've acquired a 64-pound admirer who thinks your existence is the greatest thing since the tennis ball. Other dogs, however? Well. You know how some people are comfortable with close friends but would rather fake their own disappearance than attend a party full of strangers? Hi. It's me. Baxter. I'm the introvert who arrives, finds the one person they know, and spends the evening six inches away from them because they're the only thing preventing a complete social meltdown.
Unfortunately, I haven't mastered politely excusing myself when another dog makes me uncomfortable. If one barks or growls at me, my brain doesn't think, “Perhaps this fellow is having a bad day.” Oh, no. It jumps straight to “HE MUST HATE ME, AND NOW I HAVE TO DEFEND MYSELF!” Suddenly I've gone from a nervous introvert minding his business to a 64-pound gentleman making a scene. Underneath that commotion, I'm not a confident tough guy looking for trouble. I'm more like someone so nervous during a confrontation that they respond with WAY more attitude than the situation called for. My foster says I may bark and go after a dog that barks or growls first. I haven't caused injuries in the incidents she's witnessed before separating us, but these reactions must be taken seriously. I need patient, experienced people, careful introductions, and training to help me learn that not every unfamiliar dog is a threat.
If you have a dog, I'd need a calm, secure, confident companion—the canine version of that patient extrovert who adopts an introvert and makes them feel comfortable without forcing them to be someone they're not. Slow introductions are essential. But I could also be perfectly happy as your only dog. Considering how much I adore humans, having all that attention to myself wouldn't exactly be a tragedy. Cats and other small animals, however, are a definite no. I have a strong prey drive, so sharing a home with them isn't safe.
Human family members? Different story. I previously lived with three boys, the youngest believed to be around six, and I loved them. The issue is that when I get excited, I jump. Apparently launching 64 pounds of enthusiastic Australian Shepherd mix toward someone isn't an appropriate greeting. Huh. Who knew? So younger or less sturdy children wouldn't be the best fit until I've learned better manners.
Now, all this talk about energy probably has you wondering what you're supposed to do with me. Allow me to introduce one of my greatest passions: FETCH. My foster says I'm OBSESSED, and I see no reason to dispute that. But a ball someone will throw repeatedly? THAT is worth getting excited about. And if you stop before I've decided we're finished, I may bark. How else am I supposed to explain that you've abandoned your responsibilities in the middle of a perfectly good game?
All this energy is why a securely fenced yard is a MUST. I need room to run, play fetch, explore, and burn off my enthusiasm for being alive. My foster says I don't stop exploring outdoors. I can settle down when I'm alone with my people, but expecting me to do nothing all day and magically become a relaxed gentleman is like buying a sports car and never taking it out of the garage. You don't adopt a playful dog and then wonder why he wants to play.
Want to know what IS my thing? PEOPLE! For all my energy, I'm an incredibly sweet boy who adores his humans. I bond quickly, want to please, and want to be wherever my people are. I'd love a family who includes me in everyday life and understands that companionship is a two-way street. I don't particularly like being separated and may scratch at doors. My foster has noticed separation anxiety, though I haven't been extensively tested alone. I do well in a kennel after a few minutes of complaining, and that's where I sleep and stay when my foster goes out.
I'm potty trained, which deserves recognition. At least I understand that the bathroom is outside, unlike some of those young whippersnappers. I know sit, down, and come, and my foster says I'm trainable and eager to please. I haven't been chewing inappropriate things or guarding resources from my foster, though I haven't been loose in the house with her other dogs. I can also push open doors that aren't fully secured, so let's all agree that “mostly closed” isn't a security strategy. My foster calls me a dramatic overreaction in dog form. A little harsh, don't you think?
So there you have it. I may be a little older, a LOT more energetic than anyone expected, and occasionally dramatic enough to deserve my own television series, but I'm also a sweet, affectionate boy who loves his people wholeheartedly. I need an active, experienced, patient family willing to build my confidence, continue my training, and appreciate me for who I am. After all these unexpected changes, I'd really like to spend the rest of my golden years with people who plan on keeping me. Think you're the family for me?
Please fill out an adoption application so my rescue can send it to my foster family for consideration: https://www.pyrpawsandfluffytailsrescue.com/adoption-app. I certainly appreciate the compliments about how handsome I am—a gentleman of my distinguished age DOES enjoy being reminded he's still got it, especially competing with young whippersnappers who think adorable is a personality trait. But compliments don't come with a permanent address, heart emojis don't pay the rent, and last I checked, I cannot retire inside a Facebook comment section. Trust me, I've looked into it. Terrible accommodations, no room for fetch, and apparently nobody is offering a couch. I'm fostered in Sand Springs, OK, and approved adopters must pick me up in person. No transports.