The Snowlady Chronicles: The Story of Tobey

October 20, 2013

The Story of Tobey

Sunday October 20, 2013

Tokyo, Japan

Rainy Slow Sunday

This is the story of Tobey. I don't know the entire story of his life but am sure glad he came into my life. Tobey was rescued from Animal Friends Niigata this February from the pound in Fukushima. Yes, the city famous for the nuclear power plant. Since the earthquake and tsunami, thousands of animals have perished and many pets abandoned. Tobey, I believe was one of those abandoned pets.

He was rescued just days before he was to be gassed. In Japan, abandoned pets are gassed in the pounds - a cruel procedure from one of the word's richest countries.

When he was first found, no one was sure he was a purebred Westie. He looked awful was malnourished and very depressed. But thanks to the brave folks from Animal Friends Niigata(AFN), he was plucked from the cold cage of the pound and into a warm and loving new life. He was in such bad shape that I don't believe anyone would have adopted him if it was not for Animal Friends Niigata.

He was washed, fed and got checked out by the Vet. As soon as I saw the facebook photo of Tobey (aka Glen - the name Isabelle founder ofAFN gave him), I knew I had to adopt him. So after a few weeks at AFN, he was in a van driven by Isabelle to my apartment in Tokyo.

First thing I noticed is that he was calm and very skinny! He weighed the same as Princess Yuki who is smaller in size than Tobey. I also noticed he seemed sad. He always looked down and never wagged his tail even during meal times. And he had bald spots with skin issues. So for the first week, Princess Yuki and I left him alone and basically just hugged and scratched him hoping for a reaction. He also had trouble walking long distances, so I carried him half the the time Yuki and I took him for walks.

After the first week, I took him to the vet to get checked out. We found he had multiple issues. Both eyes were cloudy due to someone piercing a sharp object in his eyes so he can barely see. Although he was de-wormed, we found he had a stubborn case so had to get on meds. His teeth were in horrendous shape. He had a heart murmur and also blood tests showed hyperthyroidism. The vet believes he is an older dog estimated to be about 10 years old. And so started Tobey's long road to recovery.

After about 8-10 Vet visits over 3-4 months, Tobey's thyroid is normal due to medication, his teeth cleaned, rotten teeth were pulled so his mouth is not stinky, has a full soft coat of fur, and can now go for hour long walks albeit slow. But most importantly, he now wags his tail, barks when its meal time and welcomes me home by trotting towards me with a wagging tail.

I know he was someone's pet before taken to the pound and he knows what a dog bed is. But he still won't play with toys. His favorite time of the day is mealtime. He still can't jump high but when it's meal time the tail wags and he tries to jump up and down while barking. He loves eating so much that he gained 4 kilos since arriving in March. So now he is on a diet. He is also fully toilet trained and wakes me up if he has to go to the bathroom.

I am amazed on how quickly animals recover from horrendous situations. Tobey is now famous in my apartment complex as everyone remembers the sad, skinny dog that arrived in March which now is a handsome and stately older dog who walks with dignity.

For those reading this blog, please consider donating to AFN as there are still many abandoned pets like Tobey that need rescueing. http://www.af-niigata.org/

The day Tobey got rescued

After getting washed, groomed by AFN

First day at my place. He would not move from the backwall of the kitchen

Bald snout

Skin problems

Tobey spent the first few weeks curled up sleeping for almost the entire day

And then slowly got better.

What a handsome boy with a healthy coat of fur!

And now loves going on walks with Princess Yuki

Although Tobey does not play, he likes to be naughty. He attacked the garbage can while Mom was out

And LOVES his new bed

And loves the carriage. For months, Tobey and I walked the 45 minutes to the Vet on Saturday AMs. But the first stop was always Starbucks where Tobey waited patiently in the carriage