ADOPTION DAY

Hello! My name is Toby. I am a purebred Old English Sheep Dog. My story is a typical one, but unusual for one of my breeding. I came into the world in the usual way, along with several other brothers and sisters. I don’t remember too much of my past life, but I do remember being taken away from my Mom and other siblings. For several months I remember being tied up in a yard and nobody came to play with me. It was pretty lonely. Then one day a kind lady came along and convinced my owner to send me to live with Elly, in the Barks ‘R Us Rescue shelter in Yakima, Washington. Elly was really kind to me and I again had lots of playmates around. My favourite buddy was a dog named Sequoia. I don’t know what kind of dog he was, but he was a lot of fun.

One day it came time for me to be neutered, whatever that means. I remember going into a big white office and being lifted onto a table. Then I went to sleep. When I woke up, it sure hurt down around my belly. Now that I think about it, when I look around down there, something seems to be missing. I’m not sure what it was, but, everything seems ok. Oh well, back to playing and running in the yard. Every so often, someone would come and get one of my playmates, and they would leave. I wonder where they have gone?

On December 23, 2006 a man and a woman came to the shelter. As soon as I saw them, I was so happy. I don’t really know why, but they sure look like nice people. I really like them, and so does Sequoia. I can’t stop wagging my tail and jumping up on them. They sure do smell and taste good, although they don’t seem to want me to jump too much. I saw Elly give the man some papers, and the lady took ahold of my leash. Now we are going out the gate, towards a big truck. I’m almost nine months old now, and I’m not too sure this is a good thing. These people sure are nice and I heard Elly call them Tom and Renee. They are petting me and speaking softly to me. Now the door of the van is open and they want me to get in. No way, I’m not doing that. Where’s my friends, “Sequoia, save me”! I think I will just lie down here in the snow. Now the man named Tom has gently picked me up and put me up on the back seat. There is a nice warm blanket here for me.

Tom and Renee said goodbye to Elly and I barked my goodbye to Sequoia, because I think I am leaving. It’s a little confusing, but I think it will be good. I’m really tired from all my playing, so I think I will just lie down and have a snooze. A long time passes and finally we stop. Renee gets out of the truck. Oh, oh! Where is she going? I better keep an eye on her. She sure strokes my fur nicely and talks to me. Tom is still here though and he is rubbing my ears and talking to me. He is sure a nice guy. Renee is back and we are moving again. There is lots of trees going by the window and I sure am sleepy again.

Hmm, wait a minute, I hear voices. Who is that? There is a fellow in a uniform asking all about me. Tom gives him all the answers and then we are off again. I hear Renee say, “Welcome to Canada, Toby, you are now a Canadian citizen”. I don’t know what that is, but it sure sounds good. Finally, we stop at a house and Renee and Tom get out. They tell me, “welcome to your new home”. This place looks great, a big yard and I can smell other dogs in the neighbourhood (hey look at that, I’m spelling like a Canadian already eh).

Lots of new things to see in the house, and there’s a nice corner to lie down in. There is food and water and it is nice and warm. I really like Tom and Renee and I think I’m going to love this new family.