Meet Toby

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Meet Toby

Holli,

Just catching up on your gang. Toby has gotten so big, and he is a handsome guy.

Fish story: I have one with Abby. One time Ron took the nephews to a local lake and they did some fishing. They also took Abby. Well a large catfish was caught and placed on the dock. Before they knew it, Abby took a bite... and then another. Before long there were fish guts flying all of the place, and everyone is covered. Ugh! Glad I wasn't there it witness it, but the boys had a blast in the telling.

Barb

[Shellie]

Re: Meet Toby

Aw Holli! I'm just back and attempting to catch up on all the news and this was my first stop! I had to see how you were doing and LOOK...you have a new dog! Yay! I'm so, so very happy for you! Toby looks like such a great pup and he sounds (and the posts I've managed to get thru) like an awesome pup! As sad as our babies passing always is, there is so much room in our hearts for more babies who need us too! I'm glad you were able to find him and he find you! Lots of hugs and I can't wait to see more! Hugs and HUGS!

[momofdecker]

Re: Meet Toby

Aw Holli! I'm just back and attempting to catch up on all the news and this was my first stop! I had to see how you were doing and LOOK...you have a new dog! Yay! I'm so, so very happy for you! Toby looks like such a great pup and he sounds (and the posts I've managed to get thru) like an awesome pup! As sad as our babies passing always is, there is so much room in our hearts for more babies who need us too! I'm glad you were able to find him and he find you! Lots of hugs and I can't wait to see more! Hugs and HUGS!

Figured I'd update on Toby here so I don't hijack Hank's thread. Decker is still missed a lot but all in all the family has adjusted to our new normal. Toby's been a big part in helping us smile and laugh again.

Kinser is up on Rebecca's bed (rare that he comes upstairs these days) and Toby, in his own jealous way, is blocking Rebecca from petting him as I'm trying to type.

The little pup is quite well behaved for the most part. Likes to get ahold of shoes when he is bored but has only eaten one pair which happened to be my flip flops. While our temps have teased us with a warm day here or there, for the most part it's still been chilly for nearing May. So no urgency on needing a new pair right away - LOL.

He went to my folks with us for Easter and did wonderful. We were able to let him run around off leash and he stayed right in the yard and listened quite well. Took him to my brother's property and let him run with one of my brother's dogs too. Tuckered him right out. One of my brother's neighbors has a horse. Toby was too funny when he caught site of the horse - went right on point and starting barking at that 'HUGE new dog'. Will put a few pics at the end.

During the night he snuck into my folks room not once but twice to accost them. He's an affectionate little guy and will stand right over you and give you lots of puppy kisses. After the second attack dad wised up and closed the bedroom door so the pup couldn't make a third attack.

We've recently discovered that Dad Stone's chow, Rocky, LOVES to play fetch. Never seen a chow with such a love for fetch. Every morning when I let Toby out, Rocky sees me and comes running to the fence line with a ball in his mouth in hopes of playing. We let Toby in his yard often and the two of them race for the ball. Toby's quite a bit faster but knows enough to back off and let Rocky have his ball.

We are still planning on having him fixed in June and then will sign him up for puppy school afterwards. Poor pup has no idea what he's in for but if all goes as planned I'll be on vacation for that week so will be home to make sure his recovery goes smoothly.

Here are the pictures:

[sherryandfred]

Re: Meet Toby

Figured I'd update on Toby here so I don't hijack Hank's thread. Decker is still missed a lot but all in all the family has adjusted to our new normal. Toby's been a big part in helping us smile and laugh again.

Kinser is up on Rebecca's bed (rare that he comes upstairs these days) and Toby, in his own jealous way, is blocking Rebecca from petting him as I'm trying to type.

The little pup is quite well behaved for the most part. Likes to get ahold of shoes when he is bored but has only eaten one pair which happened to be my flip flops. While our temps have teased us with a warm day here or there, for the most part it's still been chilly for nearing May. So no urgency on needing a new pair right away - LOL.

He went to my folks with us for Easter and did wonderful. We were able to let him run around off leash and he stayed right in the yard and listened quite well. Took him to my brother's property and let him run with one of my brother's dogs too. Tuckered him right out. One of my brother's neighbors has a horse. Toby was too funny when he caught site of the horse - went right on point and starting barking at that 'HUGE new dog'. Will put a few pics at the end.

During the night he snuck into my folks room not once but twice to accost them. He's an affectionate little guy and will stand right over you and give you lots of puppy kisses. After the second attack dad wised up and closed the bedroom door so the pup couldn't make a third attack.

We've recently discovered that Dad Stone's chow, Rocky, LOVES to play fetch. Never seen a chow with such a love for fetch. Every morning when I let Toby out, Rocky sees me and comes running to the fence line with a ball in his mouth in hopes of playing. We let Toby in his yard often and the two of them race for the ball. Toby's quite a bit faster but knows enough to back off and let Rocky have his ball.

We are still planning on having him fixed in June and then will sign him up for puppy school afterwards. Poor pup has no idea what he's in for but if all goes as planned I'll be on vacation for that week so will be home to make sure his recovery goes smoothly.

Here are the pictures:

toby has gotten so big..i am so happy he is doing well and you guys are healing..as i have to say abby has helped us smile as well..i dont think i would have been able to get up every day with out fred in our life if it wasnt for abby..they sure do hold a special place in our hearts and abby and toby has taught us its ok to love again..feels strange being normal doesnt it? as much as i miss fred i do enjoy NORMAL..thank you for sharing this and the pictures....wish you the best of luck with Toby and enjoy every min of him..

[MikeMurphy]

Re: Meet Toby

Holli ... Love Toby's point at the horse! ... Mike

[Charlie's mom]

Re: Meet Toby

What a nice story, thanks for sharing the pics. I dread the day when it will be time to say good bye to Charlie, but there is hope seeing all of you learn to love again!

[Monsters Momma]

Re: Meet Toby

Vinny thinks Toby is a good looking dog...just like him!! What a great update and the pictures really capture his spirit! There is something to be said for normal...

[Shellie]

Re: Meet Toby

I also can't believe how big that Rebecca has gotten! She's just growing right up into a young woman before our eyes!

Dogs really are such funny little people and have such funny little traits that can make us smile even as we roll our eyes! Attacking your Dad with kisses...that's great..totally annoying but great! LOL

Everything sounds so wonderful! I am very glad you are all doing so well! After all you went thru and the hard work you put in helping Decker live well, you deserve a bit of peace!

Hugs!!!!

[farrwf]

Re: Meet Toby

Sounds like Toby is fitting great.

[Patty]

Re: Meet Toby

Great pictures Holli!!

[stylynjm]

Re: Meet Toby

LOL, great pictures... Good luck with all that puppy stuff How nice to have Toby to enjoy and love...

[momofdecker]

Re: Meet Toby

Thanks all. He sure is full of personality and makes sure he gets his share of attention. He's sitting next to me as I type with his tail wagging. Big eyes looking at me and little whines escaping as he is saying, "Come on, get off that computer and come play with me." As in if I don't he will find his own entertainment and that means trouble.

Went to a fundraiser for our local animal shelter over the weekend. They had a k9 police dog demo. It was fun to watch but at one point during the demo the K9 officer and his handler did something that totally reminded me of Decker. Had this instant flash back and found my eyes watering as I was unprepared for the emotion that overwhelmed me. Funny how those moments strike.

They had an agility demo too but we'd missed that. Did get to meet one of the instructions though and think after we get Toby fixed/dew claws removed we might introduce him to agility. Speaking of the pup, he's shifting in his sit and still whining at me to get up and play - must go have some fun before work this morning. Have a great day!

[jesse girl]

Re: Meet Toby

i think that is a great idea hollie with agility training . a great way to work out all that puppy energy with a focused routine . fun for everyone .

my daughter just had her puppy fixed . he is still a ball of energy but i think it took a bit of the edge off .

sounds like you guys are having fun . those memories will take you back . it is like a time machine where your can go back to that special place and time .

[momofdecker]

Re: Meet Toby

Just a quick update on Toby and company.

The pup went in on the 26th of June for his neuter and rear dew claw removal. All pre-surgery blood work was good and the 4dx was all negative. He weighed in at 50 pounds on the nose. We still call him little $hit. He eats like a horse - approx. 4.5c to 5c of food per day.

While he was under the vet noticed that he had two teeth that had not grown in correctly and they were pushing forward causing an ulceration in his mouth. We had no idea. He was eating fine and playing fetch and tuggie with no indications he was in any pain. I felt terrible. They called to ask if we wanted them removed while he was already under. Sounded like a plan. The kid wanted me to call back and ask to keep the teeth. I said no. But when we went to pick him up they'd taken pictures to show us and did keep the teeth to give us. I had one happy kid on my hands !

Toby came home in a cone. He was not suppose to run or jump. He was so crazy when we picked him up he popped his cone right off and they had to use some tape reinforcement. Then he jumped into the back seat of my vehicle and caused a world of chaos until he settled. I had Rebecca text John and tell him we had a bull in a China shop, who was not suppose to run or jump, coming home and I needed his help as I had no idea how to get him out of the vehicle. No need. Toby jumped before we could stop him. Then he proceeded to do hot laps until he got his energies out. His neuter stitches were internal and dissolved. The dew claws are external and about four days post surgery were still swollen and started to bleed. They were quite tender to the touch. Took him back to the vet and they put him on antibiotics just in case they were infected. We explained we were trying to keep him calm but he was an uncontrolled ball of energy. He flies up and down stairs - often only hitting one or two of five or six steps. He runs circles around the yard. He runs full speed and jumps into you when you come home. It doesn't matter if you only went across the street to get the mail - he still misses you that few seconds you were gone and greets accordingly. He goes back to the vet this afternoon to have the dew claw stitches removed. We'll be looking for an agility class to sign him up for soon.

Kinser is doing ok. After being groomed we discovered a rather large lump on his rear left hip area. Was quite scared but had it tested and thankfully it was just a fatty tumor. He also had a rear left paw cut which landed him in a cone for about two weeks. He did not have the speed of Toby but he had no sense of direction or spatial awareness while in the cone. His hearing has declined and he is at the point he can't hear anything anymore. I was just as thrilled as him when we finally freed him from the cone. Kinser's eating is hit or miss most days. No worries though - Toby pup is right there waiting, along with Bubby Girl (cat) to finish Kinser's food. Toby eats about 4c of his own food daily and then around another .5 to 1 full cup of Kinser's food. He also sneaks to the basement when not monitored to eat Bubby's cat food. Kinser's rear legs are also not what they used to be. He will be standing and slip to the floor if stationary for too long. He's on metacam and it seems to help. He still loves to go for walks and will engage in play with Toby for a few minutes before seeking help from his humans. All in all, for being a 77 pound 13 year old dog he is holding his own.

Bubby Girl is amazing. My girlie cat just keeps going. She doesn't look any different than she did several years ago. She still begs for her treats every morning and will try to eat Kinser's left over food too. At 18 years old she sleeps a lot and can't hear any more either. She loves to sit in someones lap when it's cold and will just purr to her little heart's content. When it's hot she loves to bask in the sun. We have to be careful with the front door as if it doesn't latch all six pounds of her will push the door open so she can get outside. She's always been an indoor cat.

The human kid is done with school and came home with a 100 in English language arts and a 98 in math. Can't ask for much more effort there. Can't believe I'm going to have a fifth grader in Sept. She's bouncing from camp to camp for the summer.

I am thrilled to report that we finally have some help at work. We had a secretary start in June (had ours retire in December) as well as a temporary maternity leave event coordinator. We will have a new Director starting in August. Still training the secretary but the maternity leave person has worked for us before and was able to jump right in. I thank my lucky stars as I was at the point I was starting to sink trying to keep up with everything. Had some minor surgery last week - all went well and am up and around again. Meds are really messing with my brain's ability to function well though. Go back in a couple of weeks for a re-check and fingers crossed all will be well.

Here are a few pictures:
Toby pre-surgery - playing with the hose (we think he has the tongue of an 80 pound dog).


Toby's surgery...


Kinser


Bubby Girl


And here are a few Toby videos:
Those that remember Decker's walk excitement - here is a video of Toby's walk excitement. Our pup that was once terrified of going for a walk now LOVES to go...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFK88oBrpb8

Toby playing with the hose:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO7doF2LNB0

Toby and friends (my father in laws chow Rocky & my sister in laws rescue Mini & Kinser):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcXXsWKxu-0

Toby walking off lead - he does much better one on one but did ok with Kinser & Rebecca walking with us:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nr39TElSTM

And here is Toby about nine days post surgery. He is full of energies - LOL - and jumps right into my incision at the end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQWM4xCfNrA

Decker is still missed and in our hearts always. We went to the zoo recently and talked about him as we saw the pot belly piggies. He was our pot belly piggy. Rascal cat is still missed as well too.

Hope all your pups are doing well.

[MikeMurphy]

Re: Meet Toby

Holli ... Always like to read your Toby and Kinser updates. Just dogs being dogs!
Toby's tongue is really toooooooo big for his body . Great update!

Mike