Hello everyone!  My name is Toby, and I am Love-A-Bull Rescue's latest and greatest addition! 

 

I was rescued by 2 Love-A-Bull volunteers (Keith and Michele) from the Pinal County shelter.  I ended up there as a stray, no tags, no ID, no microchip.  Someone put me in the night time "drop box" so no one would see them... They pulled around back, opened up the outdoor cage, and shoved me in there.  I was hoping the shelter workers would find someone out there who would care for me.  My family never came to get me.  Many people walked the cold halls of the shelter, none of them were my family.

Keith and Michele had come by to evaluate me, and boy, I wasn't looking or feeling my best.  I tried so hard to put on a happy face so they would like me.  I tried to sit, and be very polite.  I couldn't hide the lumps and bumps all over my body, my goopy eyes that I could barely see out of since no one has cleaned them, the patches of missing hair, the ticks crawling all over me, my ears with all of the nasty goop in them that have swollen shut from infection, and the tumor that was hanging on my underbelly. 

 

 I was hoping Keith and Michele could see past the aesthetics, and really see me for the awesome guy that I am.  GUESS WHAT?  They did!  HOORAY!  And boy am I glad, because the shelter workers said that it was my "last day."

They got me home, and began pulling all of the ticks off my body.  There were over 100.  There were clusters in and around my ears, and in places you can't even imagine!  They also flushed my ears, and began antibiotics.  I should be feeling better soon, I hope.  I have an appointment at the vet to have all of my lumps and bumps checked out, and to get tested for tick fever.  I am going to be a big project, and the people at Love-A-Bull are taking donations towards my care.  I still need to be neutered, and may have to go through a surgery to have the lumps removed. 

 

 

 

There has to be a family out there who is willing to take on this "not so perfect" guy.  After my surgery, BOY OH BOY, people will be lining up to adopt me... I make up the imperfections with a PERFECT personality and I do give the PERFECT wet kisses!  I am dreaming of a home where I am the only dog.  Where all of the human's attention can be on me.  I am dreaming of a really cool collar with shiny tags that have my name on it.  My new owners will care if I am lost.  I can see it now, a huge backyard for me to run in, and a wonderful human to love me unconditionally.  I know they are out there, but for now it is still a dream.  I know they are out there somewhere!

 

 

To make a donation to TOBY"S care, please click the paypal link.  Toby will thank all of his sponsors with a letter he has written himself!  What a talented boy!  And YES, Toby will be available for adoption once he is vetted and feeling better! 

 

 

UPDATE: MAY 1, 2008

 

Hello to all of my fans out there! 

I saw Dr. Cindy today at the vet, and MY OH MY what a time that was.  She kept poking and prying at me, but I knew it was all to make me better, so I was a good boy.

One of the lumps on my underebelly is so infected that is leaking fluid.  OUCH, it hurts so bad.  I also had SO much nasty hair and food and who knows what else stuck in my gums which was making my breath TERRIBLE!  I could clear a room!  The vet flushed my mouth out and cleaned all the "leftovers" out of my mouth.  Now I can kiss and kiss and no one will turn their head away from me!  :-)

She cleaned my ears out really good and gave my foster mom some medicine for them.  They are so infected that they are swollen shut, and I can't hear a thing. (Except the word "TREAT", that seems to ring through loud and clear!)  She said I have low tear production and that I am going to have to be on eye ointment probably the rest of my life.  My eyelids are rolling into my eyes, and the lashes are scraping my eyes.  That is called entropian.  I have to have an "eye lift"... I hear that is the hot procedure now a days with celebrities.  I AM A CELEBRITY!  She also looked at my lumps and bumps and said that I would look WAY better if she removed them.   I AGREE!  Man, I am going to be so gorgeous when all this is over!  All the bullies on the block are going to say "WOW, what a hottie!"

Now for the scary part.  On Monday May 5, I am having my surgeries.  I am going to get neutered, my eyes done and have my lumps removed.  I know I will feel so much better, so I am really excited to get this over with.   I will be even more beautiful after this, so I am very excited!  I will keep you all posted.

Any donation towards me would be so appreciated!!!!  I have to eat premium food to keep me healthy and build up my immune system, and I still need all of my vaccinations done...

 

Update:  May 6, 2008

My surgery is over!  It went great!  This really cool lady named Jacki from our bulldog meetup group came by before I went in for surgery and brought me a toy and a HUGE kiss!  She wanted me to know that there are people out there rooting for my recovery!  :)  AWESOME! 

Well, I have over 20 staples and stitches throughout my body.  But it's weird, I don't have those lumps hangin' off my body anymore!  I look so good!

(this is where the big black lump used to be!)

I had my eye surgery, and I have to wear this weird cone for a few weeks so I don't scratch out my stitches.  I am really happy that my foster family cared enough about me to save my life and get me healthy. 

I will be going in for my re-check this week. 

 

 

UPDATE: MAY 8, 2008

 

Today is a very sad day...

Dr. Cindy called and said I have Epithiliotropic Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.  What is that? 

Cancer. 

The tumor on my groin was a result of Lymphoma.

My foster family is so upset, and so are all of the girls at the vet's office, since every time I go in there they look forward to my HIGH FIVE trick!  I have made quite a big impression on people for the little time I have been in rescue!

I don't want you to cry, I don't want you to feel sorry for me.  THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE IS NOW AND IN THE MONTHS TO COME!  I look better, feel better, and I am LOVED.  Finally.  My dream has come true.

Here is a bit on my cancer: (from the MERCK Veterinary Manual)

Epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphosarcoma (ECL, mycosis fungoides) is the most frequently recognized form of cutaneous lymphosarcoma in dogs and arguably cats. It is a disease of middle-aged and older dogs, and Poodles and Cocker Spaniels may be predisposed. Classically, the lesions progress from patch to plaque to tumor; however, one or any combination of these 3 primary lesions may be present. For example, a form of ECL known as pagetoid reticulosis has minimal to no dermal involvement, and cutaneous lesions always appear as erythematous patches. Another common feature of the disease in dogs is the presence of areas of alopecia due to follicular atrophy caused by infiltration of neoplastic cells into the outer sheath and lumen of hair follicles. Although most cases are associated with diffuse cutaneous involvement, forms limited primarily to mucous membranes or the footpads have been identified. Because of the variable clinical appearance of this tumor, diagnosis based on clinical features can be very difficult, and early stages can be confused with allergic, autoimmune, endocrine, infectious, or seborrheic diseases. Most cases are limited to the cutis until late in the course of the disease.

In dogs, ECL is a slow to moderately progressive disease for which a number of therapies have been attempted. To date, all appear more effective in improving the clinical features of the disease than in prolonging an affected dog’s life. Methchlorethamine (nitrogen mustard) has been used in the past as a topical therapy, but because large areas of a dog’s body may be affected (including the mucous membranes) and because of its sensitizing potential in humans, it is infrequently used. The disease is often transiently responsive to steroids. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as combinations of adriamycin, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine, are variably effective. Retinoids with and without glucocorticoids may also achieve partial or complete remission.

 

We are not going to do Chemo.  I need all of my energy to play in the backyard and chase balls!

 

PLEASE LET MY STORY BE A LESSON:

LOVE YOUR DOG.  LOVE US UNCONDITIONALLY FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.  DON'T GET RID OF US WHEN WE NEED YOU MOST.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (aka the shelter) is an open-admission municipal animal shelter. We are obligated to take in any dog or cat that comes through our doors, regardless of its condition. MCACC is one of the largest animal shelters in the country, receiving over 55,000 dogs and cats each year. Although we do our best to find every healthy, adoptable pet a good home, we are not a No-Kill facility. Through a variety of programs, we make every effort to place all adoptable animals in our care. Still, MCACC receives anywhere from 100-200 dogs and cats every day. Some of these animals are euthanized due to lack of resources and homes. No-kill facilities have limited space and resources as well, but they can also limit their intakes. MCACC works with many No-kill agencies in the county to help place the adoptable pets in our care. For a list of No-kill shelters in the area, please call 1-888-PETS911 or visit www.pets911.com

We are currently accepting donations to make the last months of Toby's life the BEST! Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

 

UPDATE:  May 12th, 2008

I am doing great!  My foster family ordered me a case of the Prescription Diet canned food (YUM!)... It is specially formulated for the dogs battling cancer.  I am also eating kitten kibble!  Weird huh?  Dr. Cindy said that for dogs with Lymphoma, a high protein, low carb diet is best, and is found in kitten food!  If I start meowing, I am going to request to be taken OFF this food! :-) 

All is well, it is amazing the outpouring of support and e-mails I have received.  If you would like to send an e-mail to me, please do so!  My foster dad's e-mail is krhode@hotmail.com

Thanks again to everyone!  KISSES and HUGS!

 

Update: May 16th

 

Dr. Cindy said I have 6 months to a year left!  HOORAY!  These will be the best times of my life...