Toby <I>Melick</I> Baker

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Toby Melick Baker

Birth
Hockessin, New Castle County, Delaware, USA
Death
29 Mar 2009 (aged 9)
Stanton, New Castle County, Delaware, USA
Burial
Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend. Specifically: Ashes in possession of his human parents Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Toby was my best friend. I found him on a 4 lane highway in Hockessin, Delaware on the 4th of July. I imagine he had been banished to the outside by his owners, or never knew the inside of a house and he broke free from his tether or chain. Thank God he did, as it changed my life forever.
I had come from seeing fireworks at the local firehouse and as we were riding along I saw a large black dog trying to cross route 41. I told my ex to stop and he did. I jumped out of the truck and walked into a bank parking lot. I knelt on my knees and yelled, "Here Boy!" and Toby came running to me. It was truly LOVE at first sight. He had no collar, no ID and so I took him home so the SPCA could come pick him up from my house the following day. I already had 2 dogs and I really didn't want a 3rd. Well, that did not last long. The SPCA came and picked him up the next day. In the meantime, I had bathed him, cleaned his wounds and fed him. The connection had already been made. So, I waited out the 7 days to see if he was adopted or claimed by his owners. The SPCA claimed that a family had interest in him, but they never returned for him. I did return, bright and early that Monday morning and claimed him as MINE. That was the beginning of a very intense and loving relationship between a girl and her dog.
Toby, I will never forget you. I will never forget the multiple times you broke into my fridge and cleaned it out when I wasn't home. Or the time you ate an entire FAMILY PACK of Twizzlers and never got sick. And the skunks. Oh, those skunks. Your love affair with them never resolved itself. I will never forget your Best In Show win at the Spayed Club's Dog Rescue Show. I will never forget your spinning in circles until you got your walk at exactly 9:15PM every night. I will never forget your adoring and warm eyes and your devotion to me. How can I forget your beautiful relationship with Tess? That was incredible. Although you outweighed her by 60lbs, you loved her gently and brought her complete joy. (I must tell you now - she is not so sure about this Boston Terrier half-brother puppy called Harpo).
I don't really know how old Toby was, but it appears he was 11+ years. He aged very well until his hips began to fail and when it was clear that he was not recovering, we had him examined at the ER in Stanton, DE (Veterinary Specialty Center) They agreed that his hips were severely broken down and he was in great pain. Upon examination they found a growth on Toby's stomach. Rather than put him through surgery that would likely result in his death and a lot of pain, we decided to humanely put him to rest. It was excruciatingly painful for us. We miss you, Toby! Our hearts are not the same. Play with Tara and Sasha at Rainbow Bridge - as you back with them now. Until we meet again...Rest well. I love you.
For You, Toby:

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddy's best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever
You know they never will
You know they never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
There'll never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time

--Cat Stevens
Toby was my best friend. I found him on a 4 lane highway in Hockessin, Delaware on the 4th of July. I imagine he had been banished to the outside by his owners, or never knew the inside of a house and he broke free from his tether or chain. Thank God he did, as it changed my life forever.
I had come from seeing fireworks at the local firehouse and as we were riding along I saw a large black dog trying to cross route 41. I told my ex to stop and he did. I jumped out of the truck and walked into a bank parking lot. I knelt on my knees and yelled, "Here Boy!" and Toby came running to me. It was truly LOVE at first sight. He had no collar, no ID and so I took him home so the SPCA could come pick him up from my house the following day. I already had 2 dogs and I really didn't want a 3rd. Well, that did not last long. The SPCA came and picked him up the next day. In the meantime, I had bathed him, cleaned his wounds and fed him. The connection had already been made. So, I waited out the 7 days to see if he was adopted or claimed by his owners. The SPCA claimed that a family had interest in him, but they never returned for him. I did return, bright and early that Monday morning and claimed him as MINE. That was the beginning of a very intense and loving relationship between a girl and her dog.
Toby, I will never forget you. I will never forget the multiple times you broke into my fridge and cleaned it out when I wasn't home. Or the time you ate an entire FAMILY PACK of Twizzlers and never got sick. And the skunks. Oh, those skunks. Your love affair with them never resolved itself. I will never forget your Best In Show win at the Spayed Club's Dog Rescue Show. I will never forget your spinning in circles until you got your walk at exactly 9:15PM every night. I will never forget your adoring and warm eyes and your devotion to me. How can I forget your beautiful relationship with Tess? That was incredible. Although you outweighed her by 60lbs, you loved her gently and brought her complete joy. (I must tell you now - she is not so sure about this Boston Terrier half-brother puppy called Harpo).
I don't really know how old Toby was, but it appears he was 11+ years. He aged very well until his hips began to fail and when it was clear that he was not recovering, we had him examined at the ER in Stanton, DE (Veterinary Specialty Center) They agreed that his hips were severely broken down and he was in great pain. Upon examination they found a growth on Toby's stomach. Rather than put him through surgery that would likely result in his death and a lot of pain, we decided to humanely put him to rest. It was excruciatingly painful for us. We miss you, Toby! Our hearts are not the same. Play with Tara and Sasha at Rainbow Bridge - as you back with them now. Until we meet again...Rest well. I love you.
For You, Toby:

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddy's best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever
You know they never will
You know they never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
There'll never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time

--Cat Stevens

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Wait for us at Rainbow Bridge...We will meet again!


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