Read Baxter Swanson's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Baxter Swanson

Garner, NC, USA

October 23, 2003 - September 3, 2019

Oct 23, 2003 - Sep 3, 2019

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Baxter Swanson (15), passed peacefully under a shady tree in the arms of his parents after an uphill battle with heart disease which he successfully fought for years, and would have continued fighting, had his body been as strong as his will. He loved his family and is survived by his dad and mom, Andy and Maureen Swanson and his sisters, Belle, Basil and Blue Swanson.

Baxter was known as “Big Boy” to his dad, “Baby Boy” to his mom…and to both, he was “Big Handsome”, because he was big AND he was handsome (and we told him frequently). To everyone else, he was just Baxter, and he was perfect.

Baxter stole our hearts the moment we saw him. One look at that face…those ears, and the dot on his head (which lovingly became known as his “kiss button”) and we were goners. A quick read of “An Idiots Guide to Beagles” had us thinking that raising him would be a piece of cake. I think he had other plans. The fact that he chewed that book should have been an indication that he was going to be a handful. He kept us on our toes daily and got in to so much trouble that we learned to “Baxter-proof” our home. He wasn’t a typical beagle in that he didn’t bay or bark very often, but when he did, you knew it was something serious (a cat…a fox…a deer). He also spoke on command, which he loved to do for us whenever we asked. He remained a puppy in both mind and spirit until the very end. Baxter enjoyed games of all kinds. Hide and seek with his dad was one of his favorites. He also loved to “take” things and run away with them…usually for attention and usually it was one of his mom’s flip flops. Anything to get his people to stop what they were doing and pay attention to him. As he aged, he got slower at these games, but he still continued to play them and they still brought joy. He loved car rides and going to the dump with his dad on Saturday mornings. He loved running figure 8s outside with his sisters. He loved the snow. He loved to swim. He loved walks and sniffing EVERYTHING. He loved the outdoors. He loved to lay with his belly up in the air and take in the sun; and every day, even when he was very ill, he would go outside when we got home from work and he would nuzzle the grass. As playful as he was, he was equally affectionate. Probably the most loving dog we have ever known. He loved kisses…giving them (with the press of his kiss button) and getting them. He liked to be near his people always, often following us from room to room. If someone sat down, Baxter was going to be on their lap within moments. He was always up for snuggling with his mom or kneading a blanket on his dad’s lap. Lazy Sunday, I think, was his favorite day. He loved to burrow. He would make quick work of unmaking the bed to get in it and he would pull blankets off of the sofa to cover himself (or to knead, because he was amazingly smart). If we couldn’t find him, chances were that he was the mound we saw under a blanket. He slept tucked against his mom every night, often with his head on her shoulder and a leg draped over her chest. His love was unconditional and the love he received, equally so. He is, and always will be, our number 1.

Feel no more pain sweet Baxter, our handsome boy, run free with no worry for your heart…roll in the grass with no worry of coughing…kiss as many kisses as you can and continue to knead blankets, and play hide and seek, and steal flip flops; because we will surely be thinking about you doing those things and it will bring us joy and peace. Knowing you was a blessing and a gift and we love you and will miss you…always.

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