I was going to go to exercise class this morning but then Daughter asked if I wanted to walk with her and Louie. I said yes because I wanted to get that first walk without Toby over with. My last walk with him was last Tuesday when the four of us walked through Ilston valley.
Toby belonged to Elder Son, Daughter-in-law, GrandSon1, and GrandSon3. He was an 8-year-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. He was lovely and gentle, an ideal family pet. He was mostly well-behaved, stolen pizza slices excepted, and he loved his walks.
I am surprised by the strength of my reaction to his death but I realise it's because Toby became my surrogate dog. I would walk him usually once a week, and as soon as I appeared at their door Toby would go crazy and be ready for the off. My pockets were always filled with poo bags and doggy treats. He was my buddy in adventuring, following paths we probably shouldn't have, going with me where no-one else would. And, of course, he stayed with us when his family went away.
As a young dog he had meningitis; he also suffered with digestive issues meaning his diet was restricted - meaning he loved treats and things he shouldn't have!
It has all happened so suddenly. At the start of the month Elder Son took Toby to the vet because he appeared to have an eye infection. When the vet checked him over she expressed her concern and voiced the words, "blood cancer". A blood test and gland test confirmed this at the beginning of last week. Mid-week he started on steroids and perked up and looked set to come on holiday with us all next week. Then Sunday evening came the bad news.
Yes, as was mentioned, a quick end is better than a long-drawn-out painful one but the suddenness caught us all unprepared I think. He didn't show any signs, seemed so well, yet I assume he must have been ill for some time. But it didn't slow him down on our walks.
I always said they should put a tracker on Toby just to see how many miles he covered. He would disappear into the woods, be gone for ages, and then re-appear from a completely unexpected direction. He always managed to find us again. Except that one occasion when I lost him! (Fortunately he was found and Elder Son received a phone call from the finders.) He had gone back to where he thought I would be and I had gone where I thought he would have gone.
It was difficult to get a good photo of Toby because he was never still long enough. The one I posted yesterday was the best.
 |
| 2017 I think, a young Toby |
 |
| 2019 |
 |
| 2022 with Louie |
 |
| 2022 one of his favourite things: eating sticks |
 |
| And the only photo I have from our last walk. |
6 comments:
bless his little paws..... you had a really good bond with him and it's pretty evident in the way you write..... i always say with pets, as long as you can tell yourself they wouldn't have lived a better life elsewhere, then you've done your job explicitly!! Doesn't stop it hurting though, does it? Took us a long long time to get over the loss of our dog mebbe ten years since...... if you ever need to borrow a dog to remind you of why you don't want a dog, then let me know!!
He really was your granddog. Thank you for the pictures. It's a big loss.
Toby clearly loved life and lived it to the fullest always. A lesson there for all of us. Farewell, good dog and true.
I am sorry to hear the sad news about Toby. I know how much we missed our daughter’s dog when she died. So true…a quick passing is better though it is hard. Take care, Liz.
The first difficult walk without is done and that's good.You'll still all miss lovely Toby, but the memories will be happy ones.
Thank you for the photos. He was a beautiful dog.
Post a Comment