Today is Toby's Gotcha day!

TerriL · August 28, 2006, 07:34:42 AM

One year ago today a very small and sick little red dachshund was making it's way to Florida from New Orleans. The amazing folks at Florida Dachshund Rescue had done everything possible to get five little dogs out of that city before the devastation that hit the next day. At 5pm EST I got my first look at the sweet little boy who would, unbeknownst to me, fill my life with more joy and pain and tears than I could begin to imagine.
Against all odds, with infections raging through just about every major organ in his body, Toby hung in there. After everything he had been through he kept fighting. It was as if there was some force inside of him that understood that all the pain he had suffered at the hands of the monsters that hurt him was truely over.
At the end of his battle with the heartworm and infections Toby weighed 6 and a half pounds. His eyes were sunken into his head and I could easily count every rib in his body. Because his throat was still swollen he had to be fed by syringe. Slowly but surely he regained his strength.
I think that all of you know the rest of the story. Toby has fought demons in his head that I truly belive caused his aggressive behaviors. With medication and socialization and tons of love he is now the boy that he was meant to be.
Toby now weighs in at a whopping 16 pounds! Our vet says he is perfect! Sure, he's missing his canines but that certainly has not stopped him. He plays with his furbrother and fursister and finally in the last few months the three of them have become a solid unit whose primary goal in life is to gang up on there mama and daddy to get anything they want! :)
So HAPPY GOTCHA DAY to my little Manny-Man. Thank you for all you have taught me.
To all of you on the board who have prayed and cried and angonized along with me.....I cannot thank you enough. Your support helped get my family through the last year. It's a good place we are in right now!
The first picture is of Toby at his foster home. This was the only picture I had of him before he came to us. The second was taken a few months ago.

PattyInAK · August 28, 2006, 08:20:40 AM

Happy Gotcha Day, Toby!!! You are such a beautiful red doxie, love your long, slender nose!

Ruth in MT · August 28, 2006, 08:25:29 AM

and

to you and your loving family.

Barb · August 28, 2006, 08:44:28 AM

Awwwww Toby boy.........smoochies all over the screen for you !!!! What a perfect home you have found....brings tears to my eyes......Have a wonderful day sweet boy !

Mike · August 28, 2006, 09:05:23 AM

Happy Gotcha Day, Toby. May you bask in the warm Florida sun for many years to come.

Merion · August 28, 2006, 10:39:57 AM

Toby,
We are so very happy that you have found such a wonderful and understanding home after such a rough start in life. Sending ton's of PPPPPPP's

for you all for being so good for Toby. We hope you enjoy many more years of fun together!!!!

Merion & the ZZ's

Leslie · August 28, 2006, 10:43:38 AM

Makes me wanna cry to think how awful he must have felt...

and NOW!
That kid has landed in budda!
Happy Gotch Day, Toby!!!!!!!!!!!! lots of

and kisses to you from Pencilvania!

Dee Dee and Hallie · August 28, 2006, 01:04:44 PM

What a heart warming story and what a LUCKY little pupper in the end! Bless you too for taking him in and nurturing him back to the boy he was meant to be. I love happy endings! Happy Gotcha Day Toby!

Teresa · August 28, 2006, 04:11:31 PM

Tears, again. Toby and his story do it everytime. Sometimes they are out of anger and frustration at the former life he had, sometimes out of sadness for the stuff he is enduring at a particular time, but lately they are tears of pure joy of the wonderful life he has now. If Randy and I ever travel down to Florida, meeting Toby is on our list of things to do!
Happy Gotcha Day Toby!!!!!!!

Frankys_mom · August 28, 2006, 06:31:35 PM

Happy gtcha day, Toby! Gosh I didn't know your story...... how wonderful that you have found such a good home.

Brekkesmom · August 28, 2006, 08:00:05 PM

Ah, you sweet lookin' red smooth boy, you! I hope your gotcha day was/continues to be the best, and now that you are in your forever home, please forget all about your "never" home, as Auntie Marcia says!

Roberta · August 29, 2006, 01:59:54 AM

have a fantastic day Toby, you have earned it.
Roberta

Julie · August 29, 2006, 08:00:55 PM

Toby, it has been a very long year for you and I am so proud of everything you have accomplished and your mom for taking such good care of you and never giving up on you. You look wonderful and I know you are going to continue to have a wonderful spoiled life, like you deserve.

Happy gotcha day little guy!