13 years or 91 years?????

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Thirteen years ago this coming September, Bill and I added a very special "babee" to our family! Some people would say we are crazy about this "babee," and they would be correct! Do we love him more than the other members of the family? Hmmmmm - there might have been days we would say yes and other days we would have said no. It is not a matter of loving him more - we love our entire family very much - it is just that the "babee' loves us unconditionally. He holds no grudges - most days; nor does he pout - well occasionally he does; what ever we do or say is okay with him; and he acts as if were are the most important people in his life!

This "babee" is Toby! If you count each year of his life as "dog" years, he is 91 years old today! He came to us from Petland in Charleston after having traveled via plane from Missouri! He had only been in the pet shop for approximately 24 hours before we brought him home with us. He was a trembler! He was three months old when he became part of our family. David had Max, a Boston Terrier,and we loved him. Once they put Toby in my arms - there was NO WAY I could have them put him back in that cage!!!

He has given us all so much pleasure the last thirteen years. He helped us forget the problems of work when we would go out and play. He would give us both "lap" time which tend to calm not only him, but both of us as well.

He has caused us many concerns - two major surgeries at Ohio State, and running as fast as he could when he was given a little freedom from our back yard! He has been punished for some of his antics - time out in the utility room and/or a swat on the behind with a fly swat. Never has he been mistreated, unless you consider him not getting a treat each time he comes in from out side as being mistreated!

The following pictures are only a few of what we have of him. Toby's body is consumed with arthritis in all of his joint; he is losing his sight, and at times he appears to be losing his hearing. All of these symptoms we all would associate with most who are in their nineties!!!!

A Happy Babee

Keeping vigil at the door - one of his dozen trips outside during the day!

The next few pictures show Toby in his relaxed mode!

Staying close to Bill as he was sorting papers - Toby was chewing on his bone!

A pitiful Toby after his first surgery at Ohio State

Toby wore this cone for over three months after surgery on his right eye - he had a skin graft due to a puncture caused by a pine needle (we think)!

Toby's wearing a pumpkin out fit I use with my geese on the front porch - he was not amused!

Toby loved frolicking through the leaves after we had raked them into a nice pile - just like a kid!Toby is checking out the Christmas present - hmmm is it his???? Probably not - I think it was David's!!! :):)

Toby sitting amongst my collection of Santas!

We used this picture one year on our Christmas cards!

Toby loves his squeaky toys!

Since Toby is losing his sight, he can not see the Frisbee, so we have discovered another game he loves - we call it Toby soccer. He plays with a large "beach" ball and chasing it around the yard. He loves this game, but he can now only play it for a few minutes before tiring out!

A Happy "babee" again!

One of our favorite pictures of Toby - smiling for the camera!

Is Toby 13 or 91? Some days it's hard to tell! Happy Birthday Toby - you have been and still are a joy to us both! Yes we have another baby in the family whom we love very very much, but we will always love you very much too!

I am holding my "Baby" Cora Ann and my "Babee" Toby! I love them both - each in a special way!