My beloved Toby passed away yesterday (5/15). He was 10 years, 7 months, and 7 days old. He came into my life during a particularly dark time and was a ray of sunshine. He got me through some of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, and he did it with spunk and unconditional love. He was 4 months old when I got him; the runt of the litter and unwanted by anyone. But the moment we locked eyes, I just knew he was my little man.

He loved chasing any type of small animal and letting me know if any such animal was within the "boundaries" of his protection. You couldn't look at him without him presenting you his belly.  There was no way to enjoy a sad movie with him around, since he felt it was his duty to cheer you up. In his old age, he became a grumpy old man who would get annoyed with his little pack brother, Levi, but was fiercely protective of him if anything seemed amiss. He enjoyed long naps in his favorite bed, any vegetable bits you just happened to drop onto the floor, but would act like it was a race to the death if you opened any sort of cheese.

I tell you these things so that his beautiful memory can be shared with you. He was my best friend, my third "child" (and known by all as my favorite child).

I hope that everyone has the opportunity to love and be loved by a fur baby like Toby.