When Stephanie and I decided to adopt a dog in December 2018, we imagined welcoming home a graceful, energetic, perfectly proportioned standard poodle.
What we got instead was a sheep.
Toby’s previous owner was a kind older gentleman who loved him deeply. Unfortunately, his work hours had become long and unpredictable. To make sure Toby never felt hungry, he allowed him unlimited access to food. Daytime, nighttime, anytime, Toby could eat whatever he wanted.
And Toby did exactly that.
When his previous owner first sent me a picture offering Toby for adoption, he looked handsome. Elegant. Tall. Noble. Everything a Caniche Royal is supposed to be.
So when Stephanie and I arrived to meet him in person, we expected a poodle.
But the creature who trotted toward us looked like a very gentle, very fluffy, very overweight sheep.
Round belly. Thick legs. Wobbling trot. Soft eyes.
A poodle disguised as a marshmallow.
And I loved him instantly.
I have always struggled with my weight. When I saw Toby, I felt something familiar, something comforting. He was warm, friendly, chubby, gentle, and completely unaware of any of it.
Stephanie took one look at him and said nothing, but her eyes spoke full paragraphs.
We adopted him on the spot.
The plan began immediately. Stephanie became his fitness coach. I became his emotional support. Toby became our very confused but cooperative trainee. We switched him to high quality food in proper portions. We took daily walks. We encouraged playtime. We encouraged healthy habits.
Toby did not understand why his unlimited buffet had disappeared, but he trusted us.
And very slowly, the sheep started transforming back into a poodle.
A few months later, he was slim, healthy, energetic, and proud. His fur sat differently. His gait changed. His eyes sparkled with confidence. He looked like the dog he was meant to be.
But every once in a while, when I saw him curled up on the couch, I remembered the first day we met him. That round, gentle, huggable sheep-dog who stole my heart in a single moment.
Classic Toby.
Soft, sweet, and perfect in every shape.