Toby is gone. We did the right thing. But it doesn’t make it easier. There was no hope of recovery. His kidneys were shutting down, he would not eat or drink and was getting weaker each day. If not for the raccoon bite, his weak kidneys might have not have become apparent for several months or years, who knows? The bite and treatment precipitated the strain on his body that led to his demise
Having a pet like Toby for 14 1/2 years, we have lots of memories. He was a real character from day one. A puppy with endless energy, even as an adult it was hard to believe he was old. Whenever we walked Toby down the street, I was heartened to see people smile when they saw him. He evoked much interest and reaction where ever he went. There would be days when I would deliberately avoid making eye contact, I was being stopped so often.
He was not an easy dog to live with. He had NO desire to please his owners. Although he went through weeks of obedience training and learned everything very quickly, whenever given a command he always paused to contemplate.... “What’s in this for ME?” Recalling his first obedience classes, he refused to walk in the circle with another dog behind him. Unknowingly, I was dragging him around the slick hardwood floor, Toby sitting firmly on his bum. The trainer even tried to get him to walk following us with a push broom. Of course he had to repeat the course.
Toby had a terribly overbite which gave him a permanent toothy grin. He was fond of cheese and bacon and lying in the hot sun. In the last 5 years, Toby had a special relationship with “Killer” our feral cat. During Toby’s last days, Killer would rub up against Toby as if he understood that all was not well.
It is important to remember our pets, not by their sad last days, but by the years of good and happy memories. As I held Toby today at the vet for the last time, his tired eyes met mine and he drifted off.
Good-bye old friend. You will be missed. You were much loved.
Jim Mactier and Len Ellis
Tuesday, March 29, 2005