Dog Community

Missing my Toby

Posted : 1/4/2010 5:37:12 PM

I think I can finally make this post without wanting to cry TOO much.

Toby was my last dog, who had only lived for 10 short years. We rescued him from a vet's after getting a call about a dog being brought in from a hit and run and being abandoned by his owner after seeing the vet bill. He was frightened by any loud sounds or heck even people. We would go there for a month to try and build some trust and see if he was a good dog for us and he was. He was a lot of work, and even though he had some fear aggression and dog aggression he was always there for me when I needed him. Early on last year we noticed something was off with Toby but figured it was just him getting older. However, he was diagnosed with a rare form of urethra cancer back in early October. Of course I was devastated, especially after the stuff he went through before we got him and now had to deal with cancer. The vet said he only had a few months before he went down hill. Sadly, we knew it was time for him to be put down on Thanksgiving night. I miss him every day and even though Simba makes me feel less sad I miss my dog that I could snuggle with and knew me inside and out just like I knew him. No dog could ever replace my best friend.

Miss you Toby.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 1/4/2010 6:17:23 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'ld be crushed also to have to go through that. You made his life MUCH better and I'm sure he knew that.

My deepest sympathies and condolences.

punkchica321

Posted : 1/4/2010 6:54:40 PM

Johnny&Tessy
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'ld be crushed also to have to go through that. You made his life MUCH better and I'm sure he knew that.

My deepest sympathies and condolences.

Thanks hun. :-/ I like to think I did as well.

calliecritturs

Posted : 1/5/2010 12:16:56 AM

he's running all over Rainbow Bridge teling everbuddy about HIS girl!! You were the best for him and you gave HIS life purpose.

Each one is 100% completely individual. That is the most wonderful thing about dogs. They are individuals. My very first 'heart' dog Prissy -- I will never ever love another dog in the same way I loved her (for nearly 21 years!!) -- she taught me SO much and she took care of ME.

But -- she only prepared ME to be a better dog owner/guardian ... because no other dog could even be remotely like her ... so no other could "take her place"? No way -- because she was 100% UNIQUE. None other like her *ever*.

So every relationship I've ever had with ANY dog has been unique. And it's as it should be. If we hold up OUR end of the bargain and treat them as the unique individual that they are, then we never have to risk one love being "like" another or overshadowing another -- simply because it can't happen. Because this dog is gonna be a completely different experience than that one.

Grieving? YOU BET YOU ARE. New pup and all -- you STILL miss Toby. That's as it should be. Cos Toby was *worth* grieving for. He was worth all the love you had for him and then some.

I often think that the Alpha of all Alphas must have some special deal with the angels -- because dogs don't know you're not s'posed to "worry" in Heaven. So I'm convinced that somewhere in the River of Life (that's what flows under "Rainbow Bridge" you know??) SOMEWHERE in that River of Life there are little mirror pools where dogs can "see" us -- when an angel knows a dog needs to *know* it's person is ok, I think they get to see. And Toby, I'm sure, needs to know you're doing well, and using ALL the things he taught you to deal with your new pup.

I'm sure Toby is proud to bursting over all you've learned.

punkchica321

Posted : 1/5/2010 12:29:50 AM

calliecritturs
he's running all over Rainbow Bridge teling everbuddy about HIS girl!! You were the best for him and you gave HIS life purpose.

Each one is 100% completely individual. That is the most wonderful thing about dogs. They are individuals. My very first 'heart' dog Prissy -- I will never ever love another dog in the same way I loved her (for nearly 21 years!!) -- she taught me SO much and she took care of ME.

But -- she only prepared ME to be a better dog owner/guardian ... because no other dog could even be remotely like her ... so no other could "take her place"? No way -- because she was 100% UNIQUE. None other like her *ever*.

So every relationship I've ever had with ANY dog has been unique. And it's as it should be. If we hold up OUR end of the bargain and treat them as the unique individual that they are, then we never have to risk one love being "like" another or overshadowing another -- simply because it can't happen. Because this dog is gonna be a completely different experience than that one.

Grieving? YOU BET YOU ARE. New pup and all -- you STILL miss Toby. That's as it should be. Cos Toby was *worth* grieving for. He was worth all the love you had for him and then some.

I often think that the Alpha of all Alphas must have some special deal with the angels -- because dogs don't know you're not s'posed to "worry" in Heaven. So I'm convinced that somewhere in the River of Life (that's what flows under "Rainbow Bridge" you know??) SOMEWHERE in that River of Life there are little mirror pools where dogs can "see" us -- when an angel knows a dog needs to *know* it's person is ok, I think they get to see. And Toby, I'm sure, needs to know you're doing well, and using ALL the things he taught you to deal with your new pup.

I'm sure Toby is proud to bursting over all you've learned.

Thank you hun! That made me feel a lot better and also sad 'cause I miss him even more. :-/ It's true every dog that I've owned has been unique. Lindsey was gentle and caring, Toby knew me inside and out and was the biggest cuddler and as for Sim, well I'm still getting to know him but I know already that he's a very smart dog and is eager to please me.

JackieG

Posted : 1/5/2010 11:47:14 AM

punkchica321

Posted : 1/5/2010 11:53:38 AM

JackieG
{{Hugs}}

Aw you're so sweet. *Hugs back*

cakana

Posted : 1/5/2010 6:01:27 PM

Toby was a beautiful boy and I know what heartbreak you must've felt to have to let him go. He'll be forever in your heart though.

Run free Toby.

punkchica321

Posted : 1/6/2010 12:37:52 AM

cakana
Toby was a beautiful boy and I know what heartbreak you must've felt to have to let him go. He'll be forever in your heart though.

Run free Toby.

Thanks hun, he totally was and yeah it was but I knew he was suffering and it would've been selfish of me to keep him alive when he was in such pain. He will be, so will my first dog Lindsey.

janobonano

Posted : 1/6/2010 2:20:32 PM

Aw, what a handsome boy. He looks like a good snuggler. Run free, Toby.

punkchica321

Posted : 1/6/2010 2:26:25 PM

janobonano
Aw, what a handsome boy. He looks like a good snuggler. Run free, Toby.

Thanks hun! Yeah he totally was. :P He didn't even mind if I woke him up while coming over to cuddle with him, he just grunted and went back to sleep. Hehe.

shadowsgin

Posted : 1/7/2010 10:34:02 AM

Shadow was our Toby and we only had him 4 years. Cancer took him from us too, but, he taught us sooo very much! We have a totally different outlook on how to be good dog parents.

Run free Toby, we will help watch over your mommy!

punkchica321

Posted : 1/7/2010 10:46:26 AM

shadowsgin
Shadow was our Toby and we only had him 4 years. Cancer took him from us too, but, he taught us sooo very much! We have a totally different outlook on how to be good dog parents.

Run free Toby, we will help watch over your mommy!

4 years? Wow that's not a long time at all. :( So sorry for your loss. It's true, Toby taught me a lot more about dogs.

Thanks. That's very sweet of you. :) *Hugs*