Dogs and other pets are scientifically and psychologically discovered to be a form of stress reliever. Between serotonin and interaction, there is a relief built upon the connection we make with the animals, like our dogs and cats. I remember during the pandemic we were so entertained and healthy inside the quarantine, even if the world was in a worrying situation, because our dogs, including Toby, were already there, and instead of thinking of the outside scenarios, we were diverted into happy moments with them. They even helped my mother cope with the situation because she was so worried and anxious.
Toby is a Chihuahua, a very little baby we didn't buy from a pet shop. Amidst Chihuahua breed being an expensive breed in the Philippines, sold at expensive prices, my mother was able to get one when she commissioned Toby's siblings. And then we had Toby after my mother sold the other puppies, but of course we made sure the buyers were responsible, most of them being just family friends.
We have had Toby since 2018, and this dog, who never gets old in size, made our life happy and peaceful. Also, Toby gave our lives vibrance to continue our everyday life. He makes it lighter and easier to cope. He is just a little guy but his heart is immense; he changed our whole world.
I am not saying this because I have favoritism, but Toby is my favorite among our dogs. Simply because his playful attitude and energy don't hurt us in the way the other big dogs do. He is gentle when playing, and when everything gets intense, like when he wants to play more, he would just wag his tail intensely instead of banging into our feet.
Nothing can compare to the relief we get from our dog when he greets us at the door when we get home from work or school, with his tail wagging authentically like he has been waiting for us the whole day. Their way of greeting us makes us feel loved and valued, knowing that someone is waiting at the door.
Toby, being a small kid, is big in heart and courage. Whenever we walk on the road and big dogs approach me, he would stand in front of me while barking a little and shaking, just to protect me. He doesn't have to do it, but their instinct as a dog, whether small or big, reacts to secure their owners. That is one way to find out they have loyalty to you.
Toby is playful usually when you find him, but sometimes he is just a dog hidden under a blanket, almost camouflaging, to sleep his butt and white fur. He is sweet, especially when he asks for a cuddle when he sleeps. A fun fact about him is he doesn't want to sleep without anyone beside him. He wants human cuddles just like we want with him.
Toby makes a really funny face when I disturb him, just like in the photo. He was sleeping that time and I woke him up for lunch. What I love about Toby is his nonchalant aura when he just woke up. Sometimes he would go serious in look but never bite us.
He likes to go to the park and to the beach, although he doesn't like sea water. I think it's because when he was young, we always went to these places and never left him in the house. Having this kind of tiny dog worries me when he is out of my sight because he can be stepped on by someone, or if an accident occurs in the house, he can't help himself due to his smallness. Or maybe our love for Toby is just so big that we cannot leave him.
And as I write all of this, I realize how blessed I am to have Toby in my life, especially in moments when everything feels heavy and fast. He reminds me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the small joys that make each day worth living.