Hi! I’m Toby – a charming, curious, and companionable little guy with a big heart and a whole lot of personality.
For nine years, I had one person who was my whole world. When my owner became ill, unfamiliar people began coming into our home to help care for him. The routine I knew disappeared, and everything felt confusing and overwhelming. Then, I found myself in a shelter where I was scared and unsure.
It’s so wonderful to feel like part of a family again. I thrive when I’m close to my people and love being involved in daily routines. In fact, I take my role as a “kitchen assistant” very seriously – especially when there’s a chance something might fall on the floor.
I enjoy going for walks and exploring my surroundings, but I’m just as happy staying close to my humans, following them from room to room throughout the day. Mornings are my favourite time for connection, and I especially love starting the day with calm, gentle cuddles.
While I’m affectionate, I do best when my boundaries are respected. I enjoy attention on my own terms and will thrive in a home that understands and supports this. Because of everything I’ve been through, I would do best in a calm, predictable home. I’m a social guy at heart and genuinely enjoy meeting new people. But when they first arrive, I can become very excited and unsure of myself. I may bark, seek reassurance from my person, and then move away if I feel overwhelmed. This is how I communicate when I’m feeling conflicted – I want connection, but I also need space.
On walks, I’m happy to say hello to other dogs and often greet them with excited kisses and a friendly, eager demeanor. Around cats, I’m curious, and any introductions should be slow and thoughtful.
When I feel scared or overly excited, I sometimes have little “oops” moments and may pee. It’s not a house-training issue – it’s simply how my body reacts when my feelings get too big. With patience, calm reassurance, and consistency, this typically improves over time.
I’m comfortable being left loose in the home when you’re away – I’ll just nap on my dog bed or the couch. But I’d rather not be left any longer than about four hours at a time.
With structure, clear routines, and continued positive-reinforcement training, I’m learning how to settle and feel safe. I’ve worked with a behaviourist, and a training and confidence-building plan is in place. I’m also supported with the medication Reconcile to help me feel less anxious. My future family will need to be committed to continuing both the training plan and medication as recommended so I can keep building confidence and trust.
I’m already doing so much better! Sometimes certain noises can startle me, but I don’t bark in response anymore – instead, I look to my foster mama for reassurance and guidance. I’m responding wonderfully to this type of training and am making steady progress with skills like “leave it,” “touch,” and bravely handling household sounds like the vacuum.
Spunky, a little sassy, and full of personality, I bring joy and character wherever I go. I would do best in a home committed to continuing my training and providing a consistent, supportive environment where I can continue to build confidence and feel secure.
With the right family, I will be a loyal, loving companion who truly enriches everyday life. Could you be my forever home? ❤️
You can fill out an adoption application HERE!
TOBY • NEUTERED BOSTON TERRIER • 9 YEARS • 18 LBS • DOGS YES • CATS SLOW INTROS • ADULT ONLY HOME PREFERRED • FOSTERED IN THE GTA, ONTARIO
BTRC’S INVESTMENT IN TOBY’S CARE: $4,305.28
YOUR ADOPTION FEE: $550.00
APPLYING FOR TOBY (OR ANY BTRC DOG)?
➡️ You’ll receive an email acknowledgment when your application is received – check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see it!
➡️ Only applicants who best match the dog’s needs will be contacted for an interview.
➡️ There’s no fixed timeline for how long an adoption might take – it depends on how many applications we receive, scheduling for interviews and home visits, and other factors. Thanks for your patience as we work to match each dog with the home and lifestyle where they’ll thrive!
It’s Toby here – did you notice I’m living in a new place? Not too long ago, my whole world changed, and I ended up in a shelter. Thankfully, BTRC found me…that was the best day ever because I met my foster mom. She loved me immediately – I could feel it right away. I walked into my foster home afraid and confused, and my heart wasn’t sure it was safe to trust. My foster mom understands I need time to trust, and she has never pushed me to be anything other than who I am.
I’ve been trying very hard to be a good boy this year. I’m still learning how to come, sit, and stay, but I’m getting better every day! I even went to a BTRC event where I had my picture taken with the Grinch. Can you believe that? Everyone was giving me pets and telling me how handsome I was. They say I was the star of the day. Rumour has it people are still asking about me.
I just had a check-up and the dogter says I’m fully healed from my knee surgery. Honesty, I didn’t think I was brave enough to get through that, but I was! Do you know who was also brave? My foster mom. She was so nervous and unsure if she could get me through such a big surgery. But she showed up for me. She learned. She asked questions. She comforted me when I was scared, even though she was scared too. I’ve learned that bravery doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. It means loving someone enough that you’d do anything for them. ❤️
Santa, for Christmas, I don’t need any toys because I’m not really a toy kind of dog. But I do like snuffle mats – they make my nose happy.
Thank you, Santa, for thinking of me and all the other pups who are waiting for forever homes. I’ll be dreaming of you and your reindeer this Christmas.
With love,
Toby
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.
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.
