The time was 4 o’clock in the middle of the day and me and Baxter both looked at eachother with sad eyes but a happy grin as our landlord said he’s had enough of “this animals” noise and rambunctious behavior. “You know, this animal has a name and is probably more reliable than you and your expertise on fixing drywall”. The landlord stomps his foot down startling Baxter and screams “THEN MAYBE DONT HAVE YOUR DOG SLAMMING INTO THE WALL ALL GODDAMN NIGHT” then proceeds to shut the door in my face and almost hitting Baxter. I look down still trying to release some steam and say to Baxter “ okay buddy let’s get going to the car and see what else is in store for our journey”. He looks up at me and gives out a little huff rippling his jowls and a low bark just to confirm he’s ready to ride the wave of life by my side. Baxter is a small English bulldog with one tooth that hangs out of his mouth and light brown eyes that are similar to his spotty brown and white coat. Me and Baxter met when I was still going into college and on the way there I spotted him at a gas stop, sleeping in the shade with some flys buzzing around him. I go inside to grab a pack of cigarettes and a energy drink and then a little dog snack was on the counter so I asked the lady, “do you know who’s bulldog that is out there and is he okay?”. The lady smirks and says “that’s just Baxter, he always comes by for the shade and treats and he goes off somewhere at night and only returns during the morning”. I asked her if I could give him a treat and she said yes of course. I walk outside with my items and walk over to Baxter as he is seen now scratching his ear and shaking off the flys around him. He sees me approaching and at first looks around to make sure the coast is clear then wags his little stub of a tail walking towards me. I lean down with treat in my hand and hold it out right on the edge of my fingertips to show Baxter I don’t want to approach to quickly. He walks up, huffs and snickers walking to me making me think he had some ulterior motive but no he just grabs the treat with his teeth and huffs again for excitement. Watching him grab it almost brings a tear to my eye and the idea hit me. I leaned down and ask Baxter “you don’t have a home do ya boy?” He keeps wagging his nub and smiles ear to ear indicating he is excited. Of course dogs are always smiling after they received food but in my mind that was confirmation for: oh please please take me with you so we can ride along together till the end of our time. I look left to right to make sure it’s clear just like Baxter did and scoop him up and bring him to my car. He was timid at first but once I positioned him correctly in my arms he was nuzzling up under my chin and licking my neck and ears. His ticklish scheme got me to chuckle and the cashier walks out yelling: hey there boy! You sure you know what your doing? I smile back as Baxter barks: I don’t really have a clue! I saw he was laying there and reminded me of myself so I figured we gonna find out how this life road ends together ma’am. She smiles as she sees me pull out the gas station with Baxter looking outside the window with the anticipation of a lifetime. I still visit that gas station when I can so Baxter can revisit the cashier and touch his roots one more time. Fast forward to present day, Baxter now has more wrinkles everywhere but an even bigger smile when he’s with me. I love Baxter and I’m not joking when I say I see a little bit of myself in him. I would explain how I ended up like him but first we need to find a place to rest our eyes, for another time I suppose.