7/13/26 Two years ago, a very senior boy came into our rescue. He was a medical mess. Although he could walk and get around, his back end was so weak that he would fall at any moment and often couldn’t get back up on his own.We would quickly help him get his hind legs underneath him so he could keep going. If we didn’t reach him fast enough, he would drag himself along just to stay included with the group. It was clear he had likely never known real love before, yet he craved it desperately.
True to his Beagle nature, he also had a deep love of food. I truly believed Toby would live out his days with us as a hospice dog. He was already 15 years old when he arrived, and the chances of him finding a home seemed very slim. Then something amazing happened.
A wonderful past adopter of ours came to adopt two skittish dogs, who needed a patient, loving family. To our surprise and delight, this family decided to adopt Toby as well and make him part of their pack. Knowing the size of their hearts, I wasn’t entirely shocked — but I was absolutely thrilled for him. I knew the kind of love and care he was about to receive. Poor Mike had a very long drive home with three unsure Beagles, but they made it safely to northern Colorado. For much longer than I ever anticipated, Toby lived and thrived. It was a beautiful testament to the healing power of love. Unfortunately, during these years Toby developed eye cancer and was not a candidate for surgery. Even so, he loved his people fiercely — a clear sign of just how much love he had been given.There is nothing more rewarding for a rescuer than seeing one of your dogs go from broken to deeply loved. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do this work. We want to thank Toby’s family for giving him the beautiful life he always deserved. Toby crossed the Rainbow Bridge this weekend, and we are so sorry for their loss. We send them all our love and are forever grateful for the incredible home they gave him. Rest in peace, sweet big guy. 💙