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| Canine Support Teams, Inc. |
| "Changing the way the world thinks about disabilities, one dog at a time" ® |
| 951-301-3625 cstmain@caninesupportteams.org |
February 2, 2007
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must tell you that we had to put Toby down yesterday afternoon. We thank you for
all your loving thoughts and prayers, and the strength you have shared with us to get us through this difficult time.
We had taken Toby to the oncology vet for his consult in the morning. The doctor was absolutely wonderful, and patiently
explained everything and answered all our questions clearly and directly. This was a tremendous gift to us in our efforts to
do what was best for Toby. His first concern was the big physical difference in the size of the mass in his jaw in just the
week since the jaw scan was taken, indicating that the cancer there was growing rapidly. His other concern was that when
he reviewed the original chest x-ray our vet had taken, his expertise in this field helped him see a couple of spots that
worried him that our own vet had not noticed. He explained that we had to determine if the cancer had spread before we
could proceed any further, and recommended doing a CT scan of his chest. If the results indicated that the chest was
clear, he recommended having the left half of the lower jaw surgically removed, along with some surrounding soft tissue,
and then to proceed with several radiation treatments to alleviate the pain. He also recommended doing the 1st knee
repair at the same time. After getting through our shock and emotional block of not wanting to hear this, we finally
understood that he was saying that even with the surgery and radiation, we would only be extending his life for perhaps
another 10-12 months. However, if the chest was not clear, he gently recommended putting Toby to sleep soon so he
wouldn't suffer any further. He said that the least stressful way for Toby would be to go to sleep without having woken up
from the anesthesia given for the CT scan. When we finally were able to catch our breath and talk over the huge lump in
our throats, we agreed. So left Toby there for the chest CT scan. In the afternoon, we got the phone call. The doctor said
that the results showed numerous tumors in the chest, as well as a rib bone that was affected (he did a biopsy just to make
sure), and that he was sure the cancer had already spread to other areas as well.
Toby would have turned ten this month. In May, Earl would have had him eight years. Toby was completely devoted to
Earl. He was an incredibly sweet and loving dog, and was always anxious to please and help Earl in any way. He was a
beloved member of our family, and I believe he had the best disposition of all of us. He left us with a lot of smiles and
wonderful memories to help ease the ache in our hearts.
Toby was provided to Earl by Canine Support Teams (www.caninesupportteams.org), the same organization that provided
us with our first dog, Ali, and now me with Maurice. CST has changed the lives of many people with disabilities by proving
them with wonderful service dogs at no charge, as they are funded by corporate and private donations. If you would like to
make a contribution in Toby's memory, please send it to CST, PO Box 891767, Temecula, CA 92589-1767. Thank you.
Renata & Earl McLaughlin
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I must tell you that we had to put Toby down yesterday afternoon. We thank you for
all your loving thoughts and prayers, and the strength you have shared with us to get us through this difficult time.
We had taken Toby to the oncology vet for his consult in the morning. The doctor was absolutely wonderful, and patiently
explained everything and answered all our questions clearly and directly. This was a tremendous gift to us in our efforts to
do what was best for Toby. His first concern was the big physical difference in the size of the mass in his jaw in just the
week since the jaw scan was taken, indicating that the cancer there was growing rapidly. His other concern was that when
he reviewed the original chest x-ray our vet had taken, his expertise in this field helped him see a couple of spots that
worried him that our own vet had not noticed. He explained that we had to determine if the cancer had spread before we
could proceed any further, and recommended doing a CT scan of his chest. If the results indicated that the chest was
clear, he recommended having the left half of the lower jaw surgically removed, along with some surrounding soft tissue,
and then to proceed with several radiation treatments to alleviate the pain. He also recommended doing the 1st knee
repair at the same time. After getting through our shock and emotional block of not wanting to hear this, we finally
understood that he was saying that even with the surgery and radiation, we would only be extending his life for perhaps
another 10-12 months. However, if the chest was not clear, he gently recommended putting Toby to sleep soon so he
wouldn't suffer any further. He said that the least stressful way for Toby would be to go to sleep without having woken up
from the anesthesia given for the CT scan. When we finally were able to catch our breath and talk over the huge lump in
our throats, we agreed. So left Toby there for the chest CT scan. In the afternoon, we got the phone call. The doctor said
that the results showed numerous tumors in the chest, as well as a rib bone that was affected (he did a biopsy just to make
sure), and that he was sure the cancer had already spread to other areas as well.
Toby would have turned ten this month. In May, Earl would have had him eight years. Toby was completely devoted to
Earl. He was an incredibly sweet and loving dog, and was always anxious to please and help Earl in any way. He was a
beloved member of our family, and I believe he had the best disposition of all of us. He left us with a lot of smiles and
wonderful memories to help ease the ache in our hearts.
Toby was provided to Earl by Canine Support Teams (www.caninesupportteams.org), the same organization that provided
us with our first dog, Ali, and now me with Maurice. CST has changed the lives of many people with disabilities by proving
them with wonderful service dogs at no charge, as they are funded by corporate and private donations. If you would like to
make a contribution in Toby's memory, please send it to CST, PO Box 891767, Temecula, CA 92589-1767. Thank you.
Renata & Earl McLaughlin
