Good Bye To An Old Friend Today I said good bye to Toby. I was never supposed to have a dog. I love them, but I could never really touch them because of strong allergies, but had one anyway because well, it’s amazing our easily a pet loving daughter could wrap me around her finger. Toby came into our home when we found an ad somewhere that offered a Border Collie-Chow mix less than two years to good home with room. It seems, although loved, Toby just couldn’t fit into their upper apartment lifestyle and that is how he came into ours. Because of his breed he could be an outdoor dog for our young daughter. She was frantic in the car when we went to meet him because I said a very nice couple with a daughter about her age just moved into town and she might like to meet a new friend. Kicking and screaming it seemed, I coaxed her with a little strong arm to go into the house and start up the stairs. Before we got fully up, we were met by Toby. My daughter needed to be absolutely sure she understood that yes this was going to be her dog before she got excited. My favourite tale, within a week or two of being the new family member, we made the decision to have him neutered. It just so happens on the very day we had the 8:30 am appointment for the deed to be done, doesn’t it just happen mere minutes before departure, that chasing a squirrel on the other side of the pool, Toby learns he is faster than his brakes. And in he goes before our very eyes. We hauled him out quickly, dried, and then shoved him in the van heading off for the place for bad dogs. Needless to say, it took a while to heal, and I’m sure any dog that was ever invited onto the property got the same frantic warning from Toby. Hey! Whatever you do, don’t go near the water! He certainly gave it wide berth. I do know there is one tale of a steak destined for the Barbie that didn’t make it there, or was it chicken, or both? He also went through this phase of escaping our back yard at all cost. Time and time again. Different techniques were tried and different techniques failed. And where would he run each and every time? And how far would he ever get away? Always, it was the front porch of our house, making sure to greet us all happy and wagging when we came home. The great Houdini has done it yet again! He has been in our family for twelve years, and the last six months really took their toll despite being an indoor resident on our landing more often than not with all this cold weather. And there finally came the last few days when he knew it was time. My standard of “Loss of Quality of Life” came rather suddenly after a long slide it surprised me how quickly I understood it. He fell asleep to the loving strokes of my daughter upon his face. Toby found his peace today and hopefully knew he led a full life both loved and serving. Toby 2000 ~ 2014
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 02:38:57 +0000