R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

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tobys_dad

R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by tobys_dad »

Dear Jan & All

I am deeply saddened and very sorry to let you all know that we lost our dear Toby (born 27th February 1999, died 25th July 2011 aged 12 years 5 months) last night when out for his normal before bedtime walk on our local recreation ground.

He just collapsed and in front of me and died on the spot most unexpectedly and, most likely from a massive heart attack cum stroke. It was a very quick and painless ending to my lovely old boy who had 2 fantasatic years with us and who was a constant and faithful companion who gave me enormous comfort at all times when I was off work going through a really bad time in my life when we were delighted to acquire him from Jan on 19th June 2009.

He had a little turn just over two weeks ago when he went off his back legs and couldn't get up or walk but after a trip to our VET, she informed us that he had a very irregular heartbeat and had suffered some neurological problem between his brain and his back legs and prescribed him Metacam to get him back on his feet and to relieve his arthritis and inflamation, and much to my surprise he made a very speedy recovery and within only 5 or 6 days he was back on his feet and raring to go and wanting to on his usual long walks to his favourite places but we took it easy with him and only entended his walks slightly each day after he was getting much stronger with each passing day.

I have truly great memories of my dear old Toby, I distinctly remember Jan describing to me a "true gentleman" of a retriever and she was absolutely spot on, he was such a lovely, soft well behaved and loyal and faithful and caring dog who will be greatly and sadly missed by both my wife Anne and Myself.

But for now, he has gone to the bridge to run free and rest in peace.

Fortunately, for us, we still have charming little Cassie (aged 6 and a half) who we also rescued / adopted from Jan back in early March this year 2011 who settled in amazingly well and so quickly to her new home and her new pal my dear old Toby.

As you can imagine, she was looking a bit lost when we brought Tobys body back home light, she was with us when the shocking event to place and I maybe guess she is clever enough to realise something was badly wrong, we obviously didn't let her see or smell Toby's dead body which we lay in the garage overnight curled up in his duvet, but she was still walking about through the house from room to room looking for her old pal and even into the garden wondering where he had gone.

She wasn't too bad at 6am this morning when I left home for work but I possibly made the mistake of making a couple of final visits to the garage just to cuddle and caress my dear old Toby and I suspect that she may well sniffed him off my hands as I came past her back into the hall where she was still sleeping and was alerted by me.

I'm kinda glad he went the way he did so quickly and without pain, he looked so peaceful lying there in the middle of the recreation ground whilst I had to rush home and fetch the car and his favourite duvet and bring him back home.

Special thanks to the lads and lasses who were deeply shocked to see Toby at close quarters collapse and die on the spot, and who looked after hi mfor me until I got back.

Special thanks also to Toby's close friend Oscar and his owner Dave and Wife who helped me cary Toby over to the car and who accompanied me back home and who helped me lift Toby out of the car and lay him to rest on the garage floor.

My Dearest Toby...... I will miss you terribly as will Mum and Cassie, we will never ever forget you, you will be forever in our thoughts, we have treasured memories of you for the two great years we spent with each other and all the help and comfort you gave when I was ill.

Now go run free at the rainbow bridge and rest in peace dear old fella.

Thanks to all of you for taking the care to read my most untimely and terrible news

Sincerely Yours

Ian & Anne Pollington
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lynn wise
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by lynn wise »

Dear Ian and Anne,

So very sorry that you are going through this awful time, my thoughts are with you and Cassie. It must have been so distressing for you, the way he left. Thankfully, you had a good samaritan nearby to help, how kind of them.
You gave him a good life for his last few years, and for that I applaud you both. I feel sure that everyone on the site will be feeling for you, and will be sending their kind thoughts to you all.
Treasure your memories of your much loved boy until you all meet at the Bridge once more.

Lxx :love4
ceitadh

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by ceitadh »

I'm sorry to read you have lost your friend Toby.It is so hard. Thinking of you all.


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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by hairydog »

So very sorry to hear this very sad news,run free at the bridge Toby... :2024:
Cobi and Ginnies Mum

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by Cobi and Ginnies Mum »

Sorry to hear about your loss of Toby...... it's the one thing we all dread and it doesn't matter how old or how long we have had our beloved dogs for, we just give them the best life possible whilst they are with us :love4

Ginnnie and Cobi's Mum :love4
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by lenny »

How moving and so sad to hear of the loss of your beloved Toby, in the two years you shared your lives with him he must have had such a happy life.The time we have with our goldens is never long enough, but they bring so much love and loyalty into our lives that there memories will always be with us.We all send you our love, to you Anne and of course Cassie :love4 . Run free over the bridge special boy.
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by janrobinson »

So very very sorry to hear this sad news. What a shock for you all. He was such a gr and gentleman.

Our thoughts are with you

Jan & Lucy :love5
milo's mum

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by milo's mum »

i was in tears while i read your tribute to toby. he sounded such a lovely dog. i hope you can take comfort in the love and security that you gave him. i am thinking of you all at what i know is a very sad time.
run free at the bridge toby xx
tobys_dad

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by tobys_dad »

Many many thanks indeed for all your kind thoughts and messages.

Even with my darling little Cassie, my world is such an empty place right now without my lovely cuddly old boy Toby padding about all round the house constantly coming over and resting his head on my lap telling me he wants fed or wants out for walkies.

Below I have attempted to download a few pics of him from Photobucket for you all to see, hope this works ok, I not a very techie person

Image

Image

Image

Image
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by janrobinson »

Just such a handsome happy loved boy. He had a wonderful two years with you. No matter how short or long we have them in our lives it is never long enough. :love5
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by Ellas mum »

We are so sorry for your loss of Toby. Your photo's of him are lovely, showing what a beautiful boy he was, obviously so happy and content. We have all been through such heartbreak and know how you must be feeling.

Toby will have left you with wonderful memories to cherish and to keep in your hearts.

Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Jean, Ray and Ella :2006:
superjazz

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by superjazz »

Our deepest sympathy to you on reading of the sad loss of Toby. Thanks for the photos , he was a very handsome dog. You will long treasure the memories of a wonderful dog.
Pat , Syd , Jazz & Candy
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lynn wise
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by lynn wise »

What a handsome boy, and so beautifully looked after. He certainly enjoyed having his picture taken.
Will echo others..it's never long enough to have these beautiful dogs in our lives, but forever thankful that they came our way. We share so much with them.
:love6
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Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by lenny »

What a stunning looking dog and so well groomed,every one you met must have fallen in love with him. :love2
Samsmum

Re: R.I.P. My Dear Old Toby

Post by Samsmum »

Ian, Anne and Cassie,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved and treasured Toby. Thank you for sharing the pictures - they were lovely - he was a lovely gentleman, and you must all be feeling terrible, but you gave him two very happy years, and the good memories will stay with you.
My thoughts, sympathy and love are with you.
Samsmum (Joyce)
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