Tobias "Toby" P. Bull
April 11, 1999  to July 13, 2009

On Monday morning, July 13th, Toby passed away peacefully while I held him in my arms. He was the victim of an aggressive cancer that was discovered several months ago. During that time, he was spoiled with treats and lots of love.

In my experience, it is the greatest privilege to participate in animal rescue, and have dogs in my life. Losing Toby is painful - but in my heart I believe that he is in a better place.

A good friend got Toby as a puppy. That touched my heart and I got Alex from the same litter. Some years later, my friend needed someone to take Toby in. Of course I jumped at the chance to be his step-daddy. Little Toby-toe always had a hop in his step like an over-muscled ballerina. He loved gnawing on nyla-bones and could turn a kong toy into a stack of bits in no time. With precision, he could de-fuzz a tennis ball in minutes.

Toby's Collar, Retired

While I found out later it was a no-no, Toby loved to gingerly hold a grape in his paws and peel off the skin, tossing it aside to eat just the tender insides. One of his all-time favorites was watermelon. He would smack his lips after eating bites off a fork with skill as if asking "more daddy, please"?

In case you get the idea, Toby and Alex are spoiled. The boys would lie down together - Alex licking and grooming Toby's face. When Alex would stop, Toby would gently nudge Alex' face with his paw, then pause and repeat until Alex continued.

We still have footage of Toby for shows being edited, though I wish I had much more now that he is gone. Toby will remain on the site and always be an RV Buddy.

His brother Alex is wandering a bit, wondering where Toby has gone. I have told him that he has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge".

If you have not heard of the "Rainbow Bridge", the poem is just after the pictures and video below. And while we normally refrain from religion and politics on this site, I ask your indulgence. I found a letter written by Pope John Paul II that as a person of faith has brought me great peace during this time of personal loss. Regardless of your personal beliefs, I thank you for your understanding and support.

On behalf of RV Buddies, love your pet like there's no tomorrow.

Mark Summers

Video and Still Images

Following are still images and a few old videos I found to share with you. They are sometimes old and grainy - but they are 100% Toby... Just click on the videos to play, or any image to see the full size picture.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Author unknown...

Pope John Paul II: "Animals possess a soul."

When Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that 'also the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren' some people must have thought this was a new teaching, unaware of the Holy Father's scholarly familiarity with the authentic Hebrew texts. When he went on to state that all animals are 'fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect' and that they are 'as near to God as men are', animal lovers in the audience were ecstatic! The Pope mentions the special relationship of mankind with God as being created in His image and likeness. 'However,' he goes on 'other texts state that animals have the breath of life and were given it by God. In this respect, man, created by the hand of God, is identical with all other living creatures. And so in Psalm 104 there is no distinction between man and beasts when it reads, addressing God: "Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." The existence therefore,' the Holy Father reminds us, 'of all living creatures depends on the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the face of the earth.'

This discourse caused a stir around the world, and was especially encouraging to Catholic animal welfare groups which had begun to despair that anything 'animal friendly' would ever be heard in Rome. The then professor of theology and dogma at the University of Urbino, Carlo Molari, called it 'very important and significant. It is a "sign of the times" because it demonstrates the Church's desire and deep concern to clarify present confused thinking and attitudes towards the animal kingdom. There should be no need, but the Pontiff, in reiterating that animals came into being because of the direct action of the "breath" of God, wanted to say that also these creatures, as well as man, are possessed of the divine spark of life and that living quality that is the soul. And are therefore not inferior beings or only of a purely material reality.'