Toby went to heaven today. I’m sure he’s running and digging and eating. He feels good. He has soft feet and cold noise. He running after squirms and birds. He’s running down stairs three legs at a time. Waiting to lick your plate. Rolling on his back to get that itch. Pushing his noise into your hand for a pet. Smiling as you walk by hoping to get a kiss. Walking the beach in search of treasure. Going out to bark at the night, coming back when all’s well. Checking the basement when you’re not to be found. Wagging his tail when he finds your still home. Walking away looking over his shoulder when you ask for a bath. Smiling when you scratch just the right spot to get that itch. His short little breathe as he sleeps. Licking the sand as he first gets to the beach. Walking towards you to greet you at the front door. Crying when you leave. Asking if he can come too. Tighten his snuggle as he warms up your lap. Watching you eat. Always in your line of sight. Sitting patiently next to his dinner bowl. Walking in and out of the kitchen as I fix food. His pretty face and eyes. Sleeping in the warm sun shining in the window. Excitement builds as he realizes it walk time. Waiting for my OK so he can have his treat. Turning his head as you spook to him. Licking out the PB jar with his paw holding it down. Snow balls on his legs. Swimming after his stick. Not letting you have his stick. Stretching on the front door screen as I walk up the drive. Nose print on the patio door. Watching him walk away as I approach the front door. His Joy. Toby’s head and front paws down and his hindquarters up. Licking a bowl or anything with food on it clean. Taking a deep nap with Toby. Greeting you at the door like you’re a long lost friend. Jumping into your lap to keep us both warm. Circling with “steel legs” till he gets my lap just right. Waiting for my arm on the armrest so he has a chin rest. Tightening his curl in my lap. Rolling over for a belly scratch. Leaning into a scratch so he falls over. Walking slowly away looking back over his shoulder when you say want a bath. Perking up his ears with the mention of a walk or dinner. Licking beach sand over and over. Three legged run down the stairs. Licking my fingers. Pushing his nose into my hand for a pet. Jumping into your chair after you get up. Morning wake up scratch at my door. Searching the house when it’s quiet. Happily wagging his tail when he finds me. Jumping off the top step when it rains. Standing by the door and saying “I want to go out”. Sitting down and shuffling his front feet back and forth. Eating almost anything I eat. Spitting out grapes. Lifting his leg over and over on a walk. Scatching all four feet on the ground after potty. Knowing where to turn on the walk. But looking back to be sure. Running the TART. Running the Vasa. Chasing the rare black Rhino. His lap weight. His smell after a bath. His baby like smell after a nap. Sleepy eyes. Pushing my chair around when he wants up. Stretching before he jumps up. Barking endlessly into his squirrel tree. Sitting out staring at his tree. Sitting pretty and catching his treat. Brushing his hair so he shivers. Waking up before dawn for breakfast. Toenails on the kitchen floor. Sound of his water bowl when it needs filling. Jumping on the piano stool when it’s time for a walk. Barking at the doorbell. Even as we enter. Staying close on a walk. His unconditional love. I buried Toby today under his favorite tree. 11/24/05 Memories I hope I will always have of Toby. He was a good dog and friend. I love you Toby. No more pain now. Your were the best dog and I will miss our walks and bike rides.