This blog is in memory of the most beautiful doggy Toby who is now in animal heaven and is being terribly missed by the residents of Jankalyan nagar.
Toby was christened Toby Rodriguez by my brother’s friends. Its not a cultural name related to a particular faith or gender, well thats how dog names are, just meant to be cute and funny. Some people starting calling her Sweety also though.
Toby was the primary resident of Capricorn building and was usually found outside the shop area. The real estate shop platform one was her usual spots but her favorite was the Havmor icecream shop where she would get a treat every night. The stationary shop Naina kept water for her and she would be found sitting in front of it or near the ATM. You couldnt miss her if you walked by that building.
Toby as you have seen in the picture is a female dog, with a light, pale brown skin colour, light brown eyes and a pretty pink nose. she had one chipped ear probably a sign by the municipality that she was neutered. She is medium built with a thin to healthy body type.
In a street filled with stray dogs, Toby stands out being the most friendly, quiet, calm dog who minds her own business. You could say she was alone and not part of any pack probably cause she was much older than the other dogs who were puppies n then grew older in the area. You never saw her aggressively bark at other dogs or run after passing by bikes. She instead enjoyed human company and accompanied my brother n his friends on their walks around the area and even to far away places like Aksa beach! She felt protected in the company of her human friends.
Toby was the first dog that I interacted with. She touched my heart to such an extent that animal empathy and love for strays is part of my identity that I define myself by. The bond started with me petting her while passing by Capricorn building. Then noticing her at the Janklayn bus stop, sometimes outside Vandana building or in front of Bhavani grocery shop and walking up to her for some loving. She was easy to spot cause well she is just too pretty to miss! I then made it a point to specially meet Toby after college or office and then head home almost everyday after a quick pat and flea check of her.
I got really close to her when she started coming inside my bilding, climbing up 4 floor, waiting for food outside my door, spend the night there n head back in the morning. We gave her milk and kept a cloth for her to sleep and not feel cold on the marble floor. Soon my neighbour had a problem with a stray being on the floor and I ended up having a fight with her when she provoked me and complained to the watchman. I dont think I have ever had such a big fight, it scared me to speak to someone like this but my belief system just couldnt comprehend why an innocent creature was being refused shelter. i just wish if all humans had an empathetic approach we would be treating our animals around us with so much love and care but its sad to see such ignorant and discerning attitute prevalent everywhere.
Toby was scared of loud noises especially processions passing by during festivals. She would run helter skelter to find a safe space. There have been instances I have tried comforting her but she wouldnt stop shaking because of the noise. Its sad to see the impact of celebrations have on animals and people just dont care thinking they are recieving blessings by the almight by such pompous behaviour. Toby has had accidents during these times and has injured her hind leg being run over by bikes and cars especially during the nighttime and during these processions.
Many residents of Jankalyan have stories to tell of their time with Toby, just though ill pen down my journey here. My phone probably has 50 pictures of Toby. Times where I spent feeding her, removing her flees, her eye goo or just sitting with her and patting her or giving her a belly rub where she spoke to me probably about how hungry she was. Toby was a licker and she would express her affection by licking your hand or whatever was closest to her. She would also jump with two feet up if she was happy to see u n do some turn around twists as well. She would run away if one tried to put some flea spray or give her medicines and didnt like wearing a collar.
Toby brough out all the happy hormones in me, she taught me to care, she reciprocated when shown love by loving you back, she made me realise that giving a little bit of your time to dogs makes you feel so content and that everything is not about getting something in return or only running after materialistic things. Toby has faced multiple injuries but has been strong and tough and grown passed it and healed.
Multiple residents have been kind enough to feed the dogs in the area. There was always a gunny bag or a cloth for Toby during the winters to sleep on at night. The only time the area dogs seem like a nuisance is when they run after bikes, attack pet dogs and have gang/ area wars in the middle of the night barking loudly. Every building has adopted their set of animals and thats quite a good gesture.
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A special thanks to everyone who gave her food. God bless you kind souls. The 1st floor aunty of Cancer pisces bldg & Jackqueline from Gemini bldg have taken a lot of care of Toby in her end days though medical treatments and customized food . I wish i could have done more for Toby. I aim to eventually open an animal shelter and help abandoned souls from the street. I try my best to spread the message on taking care of animals and being empathetic towards them. Its a tough life out there especially during monsoons and harsh winters.
May Toby rest in peace
