Yesterday was Toby’s 9th birthday.
When he was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in April, yesterday, was a day I didn’t think I would see. I have never in my life been so happy to be so wrong.
There is nothing more in this world that I love more than Toby (and Maddux). He has been through happy times and sad times with me. But, he’s been with me through it all. When other people have let me down, Toby has never disappointed me. And, true to this little dog’s spirit, he didn’t disappoint me this time, either.
We were able to spend Thanksgiving and his birthday together. I keep looking at holidays and events, as milestones, and think back to April when I was rushing to get his paw print before we took him to the oncologist, because I was sure he was going to tell me that I it was time to say goodbye.
Within reason, since I still don’t have a regular income, I wanted to make Toby’s birthday as special as I could, so I filled his day with things he loves.
We started off with a solo trip to the local bakery. Toby loves hard rolls. Since he was a puppy as soon as my Dad would bring in the white bag, Toby would go nuts until he got a piece. I don’t even normally eat them, but we took a little trip there and got one, so he could enjoy a small piece.
Then, we took a day trip to Burlington, Vermont. Toby loves car rides. And, this one was a little over two hours each way. Although he usually is crated in my backseat, I let him and Maddux sit up front with me. I love when they cuddle in next to each other.
Once we got to Burlington, we walked along the waterfront near Lake Champlain and also down Church Street, which was all decorated for Christmas.
It was chilly, so we didn’t stay too long, but just enough to get in some cute photos and for Toby get a few “awww, what a cute dog!” from random people also staking a stroll.
Instead of going back the way we came, we took the ferry from just south of Burlington across Lake Champlain to Essex, N.Y. It was right at sunset and was beautiful. Toby spent much of the ride using my lap as a way to see out the window, while Maddux slept on the passenger’s seat.
Once we got back home, I made Toby homemade pupcakes and then we spent the rest of the night snuggled on the couch. I was supposed to finish making Christmas cookies so I could ship them out this morning, but spending time snuggling Toby was exactly what both of us needed.
Reality is, I don’t know how many more birthdays, or holidays, Toby and I will have together, but I am so thankful for these special times we are getting to share together.
