Local

The week in photos captures NC through the lens of News & Observer journalists

By Grace Richards
Baden Jaxen, founder and CEO of the Pup Park Shuttle, stands at the gate of Raleigh Carolina Pines Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. A retired basketball player, he says, “I was able to convert all my tenacity from basketball into entrepreneurship.” He started the business in November of 2024 and plans to unveil another Pup Park Shuttle in Chapel Hill this August.
Baden Jaxen, founder and CEO of the Pup Park Shuttle, stands at the gate of Raleigh Carolina Pines Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. A retired basketball player, he says, “I was able to convert all my tenacity from basketball into entrepreneurship.” He started the business in November of 2024 and plans to unveil another Pup Park Shuttle in Chapel Hill this August. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com

This week, The News & Observer’s Grace Richards spent some time with the dogs on the Pup Park Shuttle. The bright yellow customized school bus picks up dogs for weekday adventures around the Triangle, including dog parks, trails and lakes. The company was started by former UNC basketball player Baden Jaxen in November, and he aims to make dogs — and their humans — happy. (He went by Dexter Strickland at North Carolina.) This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

A dog waits for the rest of the pack to get off the bus at Raleigh Carolina Pines Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
A dog waits for the rest of the pack to get off the bus at Raleigh Carolina Pines Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Dajea Scott, Jaxen’s partner and girlfriend, helps usher a new dog into the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C.
Dajea Scott, Jaxen’s partner and girlfriend, helps usher a new dog into the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
A dog surveys the social scene inside the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C.
A dog surveys the social scene inside the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Two golden retrievers tussle in the back of the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C.
Two golden retrievers tussle in the back of the Pup Park Shuttle on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Raleigh, N.C. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published June 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM.

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