08/03/2025
BAXTER | BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
⏰ Someone with him most of day/low alone time
🐶 Canine companion of similar size & temperament
🌱 Safe & secured fenced yard
💜 Older, gentle children okay
🚘 Driving distance to vet ophthalmologist
🛑 If you do not check ALL of the above requirements, your application will not pass the screening process for consideration. We do not compromise on these requirements as we feel they are essential to a successful adoption with Baxter.
MEET BAXTER 🐶
Precious Baxter came into our care back in August after he had been found stray, in rough shape, in southern Mississippi. He was hot, filthy, matted, stained, intact, flea infested, and had no identification. He desperately needed rescue and finally found himself in the right hands! Since we don't know Baxter's history, we do not know his date of birth or age, but believe he is about 6 years old. He has undergone quite a transformation in rescue and is now healthy, happy, handsome, and ready to fly the nest and find his perfect furever family.
MEDICAL 🩺
It was obvious that poor Baxter's medical needs had been very neglected for quite some time. He arrived into our care with ear infections, skin infections, eye infections, parasites, heartworms, dental disease, dry eye, and a pr*****ed tear gland. We tackled his every need which also included his neuter surgery and much needed dental, eye surgery to reposition and anchor down his tear gland, and lengthy heartworm treatment. Baxter was a total champ through it all! He is now a healthy boy who is up to date on vaccinations, neutered, had a recent dental (8 extractions), is microchipped, and on monthly preventatives. He is now heartworm negative and has a negative f***l and tick borne illness test, along with normal bloodwork and urinalysis. His knees, hips, and heart are clear and congenitally sound, and his low tear production has now been brought up to normal with the help of a twice a day tear stimulant eye drop and anti-inflammatory eye drop which he should remain on for life. His eyes and tear production should continue to be monitored and managed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Otherwise, Baxter is healthy and not on any medication.
FOOD & POTTY HABITS 🥘
Baxter has transformed into quite the handsome tricolor boy who is typical in size and at his ideal weight of 16.8 pounds. He had to be shaved at intake due to extreme matting but his beautiful coat continues to grow in thanks to excellent care and groceries. Like most Cavaliers, Baxter is a foodie and is always enthusiastic for his meals putting on a little bit of a song and dance as you prepare them! He enjoys his twice a day meals around 6am and 5:30pm and treats throughout the day for being the excellent boy that he is. Baxter eats quickly and will try to encroach upon the other dogs' bowls so supervision is needed at meal time to ensure everyone stays in their own lane. He loves Fromm Crunchy-O's, pumpkin, and beef liver treats and this clever boy even knows the word 'treat' and to 'sit' nicely for it. Baxter's adopting family must remain committed to continuing his strictly portioned meals, healthy treats, and daily activity to ensure he remains at his ideal weight, best health, and best self!
Baxter is now reliably potty trained in his foster home as long as he is given ample opportunities to go outside. He is taken out into the safe and secured fenced yard first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every few hours in between including immediately after meals to ensure continued success. He doesn't 'signal' or alert that he needs to potty and so it is important that his family take the initiative to take him out routinely and frequently. A special treat and gentle praise immediately following good potty behavior will be excellent reward and reinforcement for this food motivated boy. While Baxter is now reliable in his foster home, please know that accidents are always to be expected, especially initially while he transitions to another environment and routine.
PERSONALITY 💕
Baxter's foster family describe him as a polite and well mannered boy who is continuing to bloom now that he knows he is safe and loved. He is the perfect combination of playful and cuddly. He enjoys play when he is engaged by his youngest Cavalier foster sibling, but can then be gentle, sweet, and snuggly with his older siblings. His three favorite things are mealtime, the big bed, and car rides, and now that he has been cleared for activity since completing heartworm treatment, he's also become a big fan of leashed walks. His favorite spot - being curled up in his foster mom's lap. In true Cavalier fashion, he attaches to his people quickly and prefers to stick to you like glue. He just can't get enough gentle love and leans into you while you pet him.
ROUTINE ⏰
Baxter's typical day begins around 6am with a quick trip out in the fenced yard to potty, in for breakfast, and then back out for pottying and play. He then curls up on foster mom's lap as she enjoys her morning coffee and while foster dad gets ready for work. Before he heads out for work, all the dogs are loaded into the car for a quick trip around the neighborhood. Baxter loves car rides and wiggles at the garage door in anticipation for his morning ride! He then enjoys a leisurely day spent following his foster mom around the house or curled up with one of his Cavalier foster siblings in a comfy dog bed, with frequent outings into the yard for pottying, play, and fresh air. While Baxter spends most of the day with his foster family, during short periods of time when there are no humans at home, he and his Cavalier foster siblings stay in a gated off puppy proofed area of the home where he has plenty of space, comforts, and companionship. He is given a high value treat when he is put up and can be seen on the camera quickly curling up with his foster siblings. He has not been crated or otherwise strictly confined in our care and it is not recommended nor needed. While Baxter does well left for short periods of time, he is certainly happiest being with his people and so we are seeking a family where someone will be with him most of the day and where he will have low alone time.
Baxter enjoys dinner around 5:30pm and then goes for a family neighborhood stroll after dinner when foster dad returns home from work. The rest of the evening is spent having quality couch and cuddle time until last potty around 9:30pm. After coming in from pottying, silly Baxter races up to the big bed to claim his spot before everyone else! He uses pet steps to get safely onto the bed and sleeps back to back with his foster mom, sleeping peacefully knowing he is safe and sound close to you. He would not do well being asked to sleep apart from his people and so we are seeking a family who will continue to welcome in the big bed with them. Afterall, who wouldn't want to snuggle up with this sweetie!
SOCIALIZATION 💜
While Baxter is not the same dog that he was upon arrival into rescue - scared, reserved, and skittish, he can still be careful and cautious when meeting new people and should be given ample time to warm up to you. He will welcome slow, intentional, gentle pets from new people but once he knows you are familiar and deemed safe and good, he wants all your love, attention, and affection and will seek it out. While he has learned that the vacuum is no longer a threat, he can still be easily startled and scared by loud noises and sudden movements and will also cower to the ground if approached from behind. We feel he will be happiest and do best in an adult only home or a home with older, gentle children with dog experience who will respect his space and boundaries and know how to engage with him gently and appropriately.
Baxter shares his foster home with other Cavaliers and has found comfort, safety, and companionship with them. They have taught him how to be a dog and he has thrived in their company. He bonded with them very quickly and easily and is rarely found not snuggled up close to them. Baxter would not do well being an only dog in the home and needs a canine companion of similar size and gentle temperament in his furever home. His perfect match would be another Cavalier(s) or other dog of similar temperament who will take him under their paw and welcome his close cuddles and snuggles. Baxter does not have experience with indoor cats, but does try to chase the neighbor's cat when he spots him outside.
Baxter has taken well to a leash and now that activity is safe for him since completing heartworm treatment, he is enjoying daily leisurely leashed strolls around the neighborhood. He can still be startled by loud cars or unexpected noises and so it is imperative that he is always walked in his snug fitting harness for his safety. As already mentioned, he also loves car rides and is already ready to 'go' and be included and with his humans as much as possible. We will be asking that his family get him a boosted car seat so he can continue to ride safely and comfortably. He likes to share his car seat with his Cavalier foster sister. Getting safely out and about is wonderful for his continued socialization and we will be seeking a family who will include him in appropriate outings.
IDEAL FAMILY & HOME 🏡
Most importantly, Baxter needs a loving, committed family who has the time and ability to shower him with so much love and attention and make him an included and important member of the family. Therefore, we are seeking a family where someone will be with him much of the day and provide for him opportunities for activity, cuddles, and quality time with his people. We are seeking a family who will include Baxter in their activities and who are wanting a velcro dog and close companion. He would do best in a more quiet, peaceful home and would not do well in a busy, high energy, or high traffic home. He would benefit from a family who is experienced with timid dogs and who will give him time, patience, and gentle love especially during his time of transition and help him continue to bloom and nourish. A perfect match canine companion who will welcome him in will also aid him in that way. He does not potty on a leash and so we are seeking a home with a safe and secured fenced yard for him for pottying purposes and so he can continue to enjoy his outdoor freedom. Lastly, Baxter's furever family must remain committed to continuing his daily eye drops and should be within driving distance to a veterinary ophthalmologist for his routine monitoring.
HOW TO APPLY 💻
Baxter has proven to be an extra special, resilient, fantastic little guy who has persevered through rough times and ready to continue embracing the good life with his perfect match family. He is looking to be someone's most loyal companion and the love and joy you will receive from him in return will be profound. If you are ready to open your heart and home to this sweet boy and meet all of his requirements, please fill out an adoption application found on our website (TheCavalierRescue.org) and then email us at [email protected] to express your interest, *letting us know why you feel you are a match.* Baxter is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and travel there is required. His requested adoption donation is $550.
Cavalier Rescue of Alabama d/b/a The Cavalier Rescue is a non-profit organization with teams across the USA. Please consult your tax professional.
