Toby was about 3 then. Isn't he handsome?
He’s my big brother. He’s 11 years old! Wow, that’s OLD. Older than me. He wasn’t as lucky as I was as a baby. Mom and Dad didn’t find him until he was 15 months old. He told me he was STARVING and he looked it. He was 20 pounds under-weight. It was so sad. And no one wanted him. But, Mom and Dad did and he’s been SO happy for the last 10 years. He loves Mom and Dad because they saved him from that shelter place. He had been taken there at least twice and he was scared that no one would love him. He hasn’t forgotten how it felt to be all alone and hungry. He is still scared of cages and when Mom and Dad go on trips. Were they going to come back? He doesn’t know and gets scared. Mom says it’s called separation-anxiety.
They tried to board him when he first started living with them, but he said “none of this”. He tried to climb an 8-foot fence at this place where they left him! And he did it more than once. Wow, that’s pretty impressive. I can’t do that! So, Mom and Dad have someone to come stay with us when they go away. At least that’s what Toby’s told me. I don’t know about that yet, but I will soon. Toby likes it and he told me it’s OK. So, I will like it too.
Toby loves the ocean too!
Toby and I went to Doggy Business the other day. That’s where I went to school when I was a baby–now I’m a teenager! And I act like one, at least that’s what Mom says. Anyhow, I like this place because they make it FUN. And I get to play and run and play and run. Toby kinda likes it too. They don’t have cages! And he gets to play. He still gets scared when Mom and Dad take us there, but Doug, my trainer, says he’s doing better. Maybe someday we’ll get to spend the night!
They do other things there at Doggy Business – like have school. Mom says I have to go back to school because I ran over to my best friend’s house the other day. That’s Toby II. You remember him, right? He lives across the street and down a couple of houses. Boy, I got in trouble for doing that. Big trouble! I had to go in my crate.
My Toby doesn’t do that–he stays with Mom and listens to her. I wonder if I can be like Toby when I grow up! I guess that’s why I have to keep going to school…….
I was all wet here, but I like water and Toby doesn't. We were getting treats.
Yes, Toby IS a handsome boy!
Hi Sage,
You are so lucky to have a big brother. Toby sounds lucky to have you for a little brother and to have your mom and dad. I know what Toby feels like. I feel scared when my mom and dad leave the house. I cry a little bit and then I jump on the coffee table and try and look out the window for them. I’m so glad when they come back that I run all over the house, jump on the couch. I even jumped off the couch straight into my mom’s arms. She was really surprised. I am glad you have Toby and he has you. You guys look happy! Gotta go. Mom’s going to brush me and I love that!
Smell you later,
Opie
Separation anxiety is hard and I’ve never really gotten over it. Mom & Dad know they can’t leave any food where I can get it when they go somewhere. One time I ate a whole bag of milk chocolate Easter eggs; another time I ate all my Dad’s cough drops. I didn’t cough for a while after that! Mom forgets sometimes and I do things I shouldn’t. I also bark when they leave, so I know how you feel. I hate to be left for a long time, but I love my pet-sitters. They stay at my house when they go on trips so I don’t get scared.