Rainy Day Toby

A few weeks ago, I was finishing-up at Lucky Dog, when a severe thunderstorm hit. I'd been planning to run a couple of errands after work, so I was pretty pissed about the sudden, ridiculous, thunder-and-lightning-out-of-freaking-nowhere downpour that randomly came to town.

I stood there for a second, trying to decide whether or not I should get out in the nasty storm. Well...  I'm a completely ridiculous person, so I decided: Yes, Ashley. Brilliant plan.

Of course, I never seem to have a freaking umbrella when I need one, so another genius thought popped into my head: Umbrellas are overrated. Just run like a moron.

When I got into my car --completely soaked and freezing-- I realized just how stupid this little idea really was. But regardless... I'm an idiot, so I started my car and drove away.

When I got to the highway, I realized that I wasn't the only dumbass who decided to drive in this mess. There were a lot of other idiots taking joyrides that day. Sure, they were probably all driving toward home... instead of away from it. But that's not the point here. The point is... I had company.

Even with my windshield wipers on full-blast, I still couldn't see much of anything. But... because I'm so damn stubborn (and stupid), I turned onto the highway anyway. And at a speed of about 5 mph, I figured I'd arrive at my destination... sometime before next week.

Suddenly, I saw another car up ahead of me, quickly swerving from one side of the road to the other. I could see that they'd almost hit something, and I watched them speed away.

So... I inched closer, trying to make out the object that they'd almost nailed in the middle of the road.

And that's when I saw him...

There was a black dog, aimlessly wandering in the middle of the highway. The rain was violently beating down on him, and I knew that he must be freezing and terrified. Especially since his life was almost taken by that reckless car, who didn't even stop to check on him, after they almost killed him.

Well... if you know me, then you already know what happened next. During one of the worst thunderstorms we'd had here all year, I pulled my car over to the side of the highway, turned on my flashers, and stepped out into the ridiculous downpour.

I walked out into the middle of the busy highway, in the pouring rain, and offered my hand to the shivering dog. He looked up at me, with these big, desperate eyes that said: "Please help me."

I didn't think twice. I picked him up, threw him over my shoulder, and ran back through the rain, toward my car. I loaded him up and drove away.

I stopped at a near-by gas station, and asked the man behind the counter if he'd ever seen this dog before. He said, "Yep. That dog comes up here every day. He ain't got no family. He's just been wanderin' around here for months, lookin' for scraps."

That was all I needed to hear. I got in the car, and headed back toward Lucky Dog. As I was driving, it suddenly hit me... Holy crap, Ash. You just took in another dog. I didn't have room for another dog, and I'd promised myself that I wouldn't take any more pups until some space opened up.

But desperate times call for desperate measures, and this poor dog needed help. And I couldn't deny that I was meant to save him... since he was placed directly in my path that day.

We pulled up at Lucky Dog, and, once again, ran through the rain like idiots. The dog was shivering uncontrollably, so I gave him a nice, warm bath. Afterward, I wrapped him up in a big, snuggly blanket and held him in my lap.

Then, it was time to pick a name. I said, "Are you a Toby?" He looked up at me, and then kissed me on the cheek. I responded, "Alrighty then.Toby it is."

Toby is a gorgeous, 1 year old Black Lab. He's super loving and gentle, and he's extremely well-behaved. He loves to play with other dogs, and he loves children. He even likes Mister Kitty!

Toby loves to cuddle. He loves car rides. He loves walks on a leash. Basically, he loves everything, and he will love YOU. He's been fully-vetted, including vaccinations, neuter, and heartworm treatment. Now, he just needs a family to love him forever.

For months, Toby has lived as a stray dog on a busy highway... without food, water, or shelter. Now, he has one wish: to finally go home. Please help him. Everyone deserves to go home for the holidays...

*Toby is available for adoption with Lucky Dog Rescue in Meridian, Mississippi. Transport can be arranged to amazing adopter. Adoption application, home check, contract, & fee are required.

UPDATE: TOBY HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

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