ARF: Spring & Baxter Have Been Sprung

By Elena Bicker

Spring is officially here. It is a time of re-birth. Flowers start to sprout out of the ground. The days are becoming longer and the weather is getting better. It’s also a time for ARF to prepare for the hundreds of unwanted kittens and puppies who will be born this spring.

Last week, ARF’s rescue team was able to save 21 little furry faces of all colors and sizes. One stood out from the others, with his squatty little bulldog legs and chocolate brown fur.  Baxter was nearly 2 years old and had been housed in the county facility since he was 6 months old as evidence in a criminal case. Alone, no toys and no grass for 18 months on a cold concrete floor night after night. Each time the rescue team inquired whether this amazingly good-natured, little brown bulldog mix could join the others in the truck … trip after trip, he watched the others leave.  Finally Baxter was “sprung” and able to join the others in the truck. It was a re-birth of sorts for Baxter.
 
Tony LaRussa heard of his story and could not wait to take Baxter out so he could experience grass!  We all hope sweet Baxter gets to experience family life soon.  He's up for adoption and up for fun!

Elena Bicker is the executive director of Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek. She has been with the organization since 1993, serving first as a volunteer then as marketing director. She lives in Danville with her husband, Bill, and her rescue dogs, Sadie and Mia.