This was BTRC foster Toby at home after surgery – shaking and whimpering in his crate. It’s hard to watch, and even harder for his foster mom, but rest assured: this kind of reaction is very normal after anaesthesia.
In the first 12-24 hours, dogs may show a mix of grogginess or disorientation and can look a bit “drunk” or unsteady. Whining or crying is also common – often from confusion or frustration rather than pain. You might also see restlessness, shivering, or temporary personality changes, like being extra clingy or out-of-character irritable. Some dogs will skip a meal or seem a little nauseated.
For older dogs, recovery can take a little longer, but most pups bounce back within a day or two. Knowing what’s normal helps you stay calm, support your dog, and know when to call your vet.
In Toby’s case, he was already brighter by the next day – eating, peeing, pooping, and wagging that little tail again.
Toby had surgery on his right hind leg to correct a luxating patella (a kneecap that pops out of place). His procedure involved a trochleoplasty (deepening the groove where the kneecap sits) and a tibial tuberosity transposition, where the bone is realigned and secured with a screw and pin.
He’ll stay on pain meds while he heals and will begin rehab when the time is right. For now, the real challenge is convincing a Boston Terrier to take it easy.
Recovery takes time, patience, and compassion. Thank you to Toby’s foster for giving him all three. ❤️
BTRC foster boy Toby has been busy working on his stand-up routine – testing out new material on every walk. His buddy Max is polite and doesn’t heckle, but the eye rolls say it all.
Toby has been favouring his right leg, so he’s on pain medication while we wait for his orthopedic consult to figure out the best course forward. That hasn’t slowed him down though – he still loves his daily walks and is slowly discovering the joys of cuddling (on his own terms, of course). Morning snuggles after a walk are his favourite, and if you dare stop petting too soon, he’ll bark to remind you to keep going!
This sweet, quirky boy is becoming more confident every day, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him. ❤️
Toby is being fostered in the GTA, ON and is not yet ready for adoption.
Are you taking notes? Because BTRC foster Toby has a refined set of dislikes and he’s not shy about sharing them.
Toby may look annoyed, but really, he’s just a little man with big standards.
Toby is being fostered in Scarborough, ON, and is not yet ready for adoption.
This nine-year-old boy was surrendered to a shelter because, sadly, his owner was suffering from an illness. The change in routine, along with the frequent and unfamiliar visitors in the home, became overwhelming for Toby. Unfortunately, the shelter environment was also frightening, so they thought it would be best for Toby to be placed in a foster home.
It’s no surprise that this handsome little guy has proven to be a charmer. His foster mom happily reports that he’s well-mannered, playful and friendly. He’s also a great sleeper, both in his crate and dog bed, and he enjoys his human’s company. When he arrived, he would sit with his foster mom at a distance, but didn’t enjoy snuggles. He’s getting more comfortable each day because he recently walked up to his foster mom and rubbed up against her leg and sought out some pets! ❤️
Great job to Toby and his foster mom!
Toby is being fostered in Scarborough, ON, and is not ready for adoption.
