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My basic info
Breed
Great Dane
Color
Black - with White
Age
Senior
Size
X-Large 101 lbs (46 kg) or more (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with kids
Good with dogs
Good with cats
Purebred
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
Has special needs
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
ADOPTION PENDING! Toby's story is one that will break your heart. :( And yet, it will move you to see how resilient and amazing these dogs, and Toby in particular, can be.
Toby has led a life of terrible neglect for far too many years. Two years ago, we received reports of a "stray" Great Dane wandering over a range of miles in our town. This Dane was emaciated, and being fed regularly by a number of residents, but he was wily and could not be caught. We chased his sightings for almost 2 months before finally capturing him and taking him into rescue. As he was not microchipped and had a collar without tags, we notified the local animal control and put fliers up. We also took him to the vet. He was emaciated, full of worms, and had an old eye injury that had been left to fester so that his eye needed removal and a prosthetic. He was, by some miracle, heartworm negative. We scheduled his surgery for the following week, and brought him "home" to rescue. What a sweetheart he was in rescue! Two days before his scheduled surgery, his "owner" came to claim him. At that point, we had no legal obligation to release him, but the owner and his little girl cried and Toby obviously loved them, so on the promise that the surgery appointment would be kept, we released Toby to his family.
Shortly thereafter we began seeing him around loose again, and needless to say, he had not had his eye surgery. This is a painful eye injury. For two years, we chased Toby, often finding him running loose on the highway at 11:30 at night. I couldn't catch him, so I would get him to follow my car home, where I would wake his owner and get him to take Toby inside. At one point, Toby was returned by Animal Control to his owner, with 48 hours to provide a rabies vaccination. This was never done. Shortly after this, we again were called by neighbors who had captured Toby under their house. We went and got him, and brought him into rescue. We went to find his owner, but he had moved and his phones were disconnected. About 10 days later, Toby's owner showed up at our home, attempting to enter the house, and scaring my daughter who was home alone. The police were called and stayed with my daughter until I could get home. We let Toby out to potty while the police were there, and as they were leaving, we put dogs up to bring Toby in the house. During that minute to minute and a half, someone (likely Toby's owner) tip toed onto the property and opened the gate and took Toby. Animal Control would not get involved, even though, at that point, Toby legally belonged to rescue.
A mere two days later, we were called again by neighbors, informing us that Toby was again, under their house. We went and got him, and now we couldn't get him to leave if we tried. After more than two months in rescue, Toby has gained about 25+ lbs. and now weighs in at a still thin 118 lbs. He had to be dewormed again, and, unfortunately, this time he is high heartworm positive at 7 years of age. :( He will need heartworm treatment, eye surgery and a neuter. We are awaiting further assessment to see if he is able to withstand any surgery at this time.
You would never guess that Toby is 7 or that he is high heartworm positive, because he runs and plays like a two year old! It took him a while to begin to play, but now he runs around with his ball or stuffie in his mouth, and is quite an adept soccer player! Toby is great in the house, loves to sleep in your bed at night, and is just such a good boy, who has been living in constant pain from his eye for years - four that I know of, and that was an old injury when we first had it examined! Toby's only desire is to be loved and be able to give his love. The poor dear does not like being left alone, and has a touch of separation anxiety, that is totally understandable. Now that he knows love and regular food and care, he can go out, unfenced and unleashed and will not made any attempt to run off. In fact, if you turn to go back to the house, he panics that you will be leaving him alone, and trots right along with you! This sweet, dear boy is so deserving of someone to love, and someone to spoil him, and to have his medical needs taken care of. It just breaks my heart that he is so sweet after all this neglect and that he might live out the rest of his life without having what he deserves. Please, can you find it in your heart to love Toby?
If you cannot adopt Toby at this time, will you consider a donation to his medical expenses? Please email us if you are interested in making Toby part of your family. If you would like to donate to his care, please visit our website for details.
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