Toby - In Memory

Name: Toby

Breed: Shih Tzu

Age: Estimated 10 years

Sex: Male (altered)

Location: Melbourne, FL area

Vet Info: Toby is confirmed neutered and heartworm negative.  He is up to date on vaccines, and is next due for his rabies vaccine in 2/2014.  He weighs about 20 pounds. 

Owner Info: Toby's owner has a new job and now works almost 12 hours a day.  As much as it breaks her heart, she is unable to give Toby the time and attention he needs and deserves, and she feels this is the best action for his health and happiness.  Toby is an indoor dog confined to one area of the house, and he is leash trained.  He is good with people of all ages, but his owner says he usually does not do well around other dogs because of his blindness; he often snaps and snarls at them.  She adds that he has never bitten any person or other animal. He is not possessive of toys, treats, or food.  Toby is completely blind, and has retinal degeneration in one eye and a corneal abrasion in the other.  He is allergic to gluten and is incontinent, but his owner says the reason for his incontinence is not known.   His owner writes, "Writing this email breaks my heart more than anything in the entire world...he is the kindest, sweetest, most cuddly dog in the whole entire world but I just do not feel as though he is getting the life he deserves with me anymore. I cannot even bare the thought of giving him up without making absolutely sure that he will be in a home where he is loved. He LOVES children (he would often roll on the floor with my 7month old niece) and is just the kindest dog you have ever met."