|
 |
 |
| Name: |
Toby
|
Age: |
Twelve years old
|
| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Terrier mix
|
| Home: |
Roscoe, Illinois, USA |
I
found Toby at the Rock County Humane Society in Janesville, Wisconsin. I
had seen a picture of his face and immediately fell in love. When I saw him
in person my heart did flip flops because he was practically bald. I took him
home on Jan. 07, 2004 and brought him right away to the doctor where he was
diagnosed with demodex and started on a program of baths and medication.
After four months he was completely recovered, and became the handsomest of boys!
Toby bonded with his Old English Sheepdog sister Sophie right away. For her
it wasn't love at first sight because he kind of smelled due to the skin
condition. Even though she was older (she was eight years old to his eighteen months)
they loved playing together and had the best of times until she passed away.
Toby took to his new life quickly, learning to ride in the car and sleep in
my bed. He didn't seem to know how to play with toys though. Now that his
Aunt Jeannie lives with us she has taught him how to play with squeaky toys
and she buys him a new one every time she goes to the store. Although he is
very attached to his Auntie, he is still a momma's boy and always will be. He
is always happy but becomes ecstatic when I arrive back home from an outing.
He sits in the front window just watching and waiting for me.
We believe Toby was mistreated before he was picked up by animal control as
he was very afraid of strangers, especially men, when he came to live with
me. The exception to that was my brother Ed. When he came over Toby would run
to greet him and literally jump up into his arms. He loves giving Uncle Ed kisses!
In October, 2013, my beloved boy was diagnosed with Cushing's disease plus a
large tumor on his left front leg. Our Vet recommended that we take him to
the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Madison
and have the tumor removed. On November 6, 2013, the surgeons did that. While
we were there they did routine blood work and found that Toby's liver enzymes
were extremely elevated. An abdominal ultrasound was performed and it was
discovered that our sweet boy has liver cancer. We did not have surgery to
remove the affected nodes because my sister Jeannie had just lost her beagle
Max
nine months earlier during liver cancer surgery. We decided to give Toby lots of happiness, toys, car rides and good food. Our
motto is "Whatever Toby wants Toby gets."
His latest ultrasound showed that the tumor has grown quite large and there
is only a small area of healthy liver tissue left. It does not seem to bother
him, though! He still has a good attitude and has good quality of life. He
even enjoys his car trips to the clinic and just loves all the good loving he
gets from the staff. He has been a blessing to me, as have all my canine
kids. I hope these pictures will bring a smile to your face as they have to mine.
See more images of Toby!
|
|
|
|
|
