Summer whale watching
Toby is my first dog.
Growing up, my family had a Dachshund but when she passed away, I didn’t have another dog until Toby. My wife and I adopted him over 11 years ago and it was, at the time the biggest change in my life I had in a long time. Now I’ve moved from the west coast to the east, fell in love, had my heart broken and lost close family. But Toby was the first animal that really changed my life.
Now, to be fair, Toby wasn’t my first pet. I did have an iguana who lived 19 years but that wasn’t the same. I loved having an iguana but she didn’t always feel the same about me. I did my best to give her a good life but it was still a captive life. A dog (or cat) wants to please and want to be part of your family.
My wife and I often talked about that dividing line before Toby and after Toby. It was our first ventures into caring for another life together. Now, Toby is the senior dog dealing with our young boys and enjoying being part of our family. Toby makes our family complete and even though he is only part of our lives a short time, we are his family his entire life. We do our best to give him the best life possible.
The photo above is some photos I’ve taken of Toby at Delaney Park in Stow, MA. From left to right, 2007, 2013, and 2016.
Toby heading home from the shelter. 11-2003
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