'Pure love': Emaciated dog found confined in crate gets adopted
![Baxter Baxter is pictured relaxing in his new home. (Image credit: BCSPCA)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/2/18/baxter-1-6774242-1708314879051.jpg)
In a happy ending to a “heartbreaking” story, a dog that was found confined to a crate in a dark basement in northern B.C. has been adopted, the BC SPCA announced.
Luffy, renamed Baxter by his new owners, was extremely emaciated when animal protection officers found him in the crate late last year with no food or water nearby. It’s unknown how long the dog was in those terrible living conditions, according to the organization.
The two-year-old pitt bull was taken to the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo shelter in Prince George, where he was put on a vet-supervised feeding plan to gain weight. Staff also worked with Baxter to help him build trust.
Baxter is pictured after he was taken in to care. (Image credit: BCSPCA) The dog was later transferred to the charity’s Vancouver location, where he often greeted visitors at the front desk.
“This sweet boy who adores people and loves to learn was waiting for his chance to find a loving forever home. He didn’t have to wait long,” the BC SPCA wrote in a media release earlier this month.
Baxter found a family with Linda and her partner, who were looking for a new dog one year after losing their beloved terrier mix.
“We had been searching the BC SPCA’s website for adoptable dogs. When I saw (his) face, I immediately fell in love with him,” said Linda in the release. The couple went to meet him the next day.
“(Baxter) didn’t hesitate to lean in for some loving pets,” she said. “I didn’t have all the details, but I knew (he) had some trauma in his past. I couldn’t believe how peaceful he was given what he had been through. He had the kindest eyes and seemed very soulful.”
Linda added the pup has a heart-shaped patch on his nose and side, saying “he is just pure love.”
Now in his forever home, Linda and her partner are still working with a veterinarian to help Baxter gain weight. He gets fed four times a day and enjoys treats, soft food and “gets super excited” for kibble.
“He was a little reserved the first couple of days, but his silly side came out in no time,” said Linda. “He is a huge fan of his new toys and he loves to grab one of his stuffies and run around the house and yard with it.”
“Baxter is an amazing dog. He has already brought us so much joy and we hope to do the same for him,” Linda continued. “It is so great to have a dog back in our home.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.