‘Perfect ambassador for NHS’ April 28, 2025
“Hey Pam, can you take a dog into your office during the day?
The request came from Dr. Taja Katz, and I was only too happy to comply. The dog in question looked like a tiny, crooked polar bear. He had head trauma from being beaten, and slammed on a patio. Animal Control Officer Larry Brayman had taken custody of him after a frantic neighbor called in the abuse. The little limping dog was being held for the court case, so he needed to stay at NHS, but the veterinary team didn’t want him stuck in a kennel for months. His name was Baxter.
At first, he stayed the night in a kennel in my office. But as time rolled on, I began fostering him overnight, and, taking him home on weekends. He was sweet and funny, and his personality started to show as I lavished him with love. When his case was finally closed, there was no question about keeping him forever.
This 9-pound Pomeranian mix was my first “little.”
I grew up with and appreciated sporting breeds, who liked to hike and play. Baxter was kind of crunched up. He walked crookedly, and stumbled often. He had coordination issues and needed help to navigate furniture. The trauma to his head resulted in permanent neurological damage. Despite these significant injuries caused by his owner, Baxter trusted and loved people. He was everyone’s friend, toddling over to meet people, other dogs and even cats.
That loving personality made him the perfect ambassador for NHS. He would approach anyone, and would snuggle into people when he was picked up. He was such a comfort for people who were grieving the loss of a pet, or needing a cuddle after a bad day. He taught nervous kids to get over their fear of dogs. He visited our camps every summer, his story astonishing children and cementing their resolve to be kind. The question was always: How could someone deliberately hurt such a gentle, friendly little soul? I didn’t have an answer.
I “crazy” loved this boy. He was always with me: at work, at home, doing presentations and media. He was my “go to”, my living visual aid of all the good the shelter does when animals need us. When he died, it shattered me. He had been “always there” for so long, that it took me a couple of years to work through the loss. But I did. And now I cherish those incredible memories of my imperfectly perfect little dog. Thanks, Larry, for rescuing him that day. Thanks, Dr. Katz, our medical team and our foster team for trusting me to care for him. Thanks, B-man for not letting the damage to your body hurt your spirit.
There will never be another dog quite like you.”
-Pam Wiese, President and CEO
(50/150)