Toby’s Apples

"Dakotahound" (dakotahound) 06/04/2019 at 08:03 • Filed to: Toby, Memories, Jeep, Jeep Ride, Dog, Buddy

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Cleaning the garage the other day, I came across two ceramic apples sitting in the back of a shelf. It is amazing how two simple objects can evoke such strong memories and emotions.

My buddy Toby on his bed.

When we moved into this house, Toby was in his prime. He had free reign in a large fenced yard and daily trips to the dog park where he hung out with his buddies. At our old house, Toby never dug holes but, in the new house, he began digging in one of the gardens. Every day, I chased him away from the hole and filled it in. One day, I didn’t get there in time, and he had dug down about two feet. There, at the bottom of the hole, were two ceramic apples. Once I took the apples out of the hole, he never dug again.

Toby found these apples buried under about two feet of dirt.

Toby, like most dogs, enjoyed car rides. He would leap into the car as soon as the door opened and liked to sit in the back where he could get the most breeze from the open window, his ears flopping back in the wind. Toby also knew “Jeep ride,” and he loved the Jeep. The rear seat of the Wrangler was removed and permanently replaced by his dog bed. It has been over a year since we lost Toby. The Jeep died a few months later.

When are we going for a Jeep ride?

Toby’s Jeep. This is also my current profile picture.

One day, Toby and I were out walking and a bicycle rider slowed as he approached. He looked at Toby and said “What a great coonhound.” I completely agree. He was not just a great coonhound, he was the best coonhound. Toby was my constant companion, my hiking partner, and my guitar buddy for many years. He was my best buddy and I miss him a lot.

Toby on the couch. I miss you buddy.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Dakotahound 06/04/2019 at 08:27

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time for a new pup then?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dakotahound 06/04/2019 at 08:48

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Nice memories. You have to wonder about the significance of the apples and how he new they were there. Why were they buried there in the first place and by whom?

Our Beatrice is getting older but still loves riding in the truck, even after she fell out a few years ago and injured herself. This picture was taken after the truck incident when I went to clear out my mom’s place. Beatrice insisted on getting into the back of the truck and stayed there several hours waiting for me to give her a ride.

I didn’t let her down.

It sounds like you really miss your pup and are ready for a new pup to adopt you.

i86hotdogs > Dakotahound 06/04/2019 at 09:05

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Love the name, Toby here approves of it. He also loves car rides.

Dakotahound > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/04/2019 at 09:10

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Yes, two new pups, Savannah and Zephyr. They are a bit of a handful right now, but they are learning. Savannah and Zephyr will be good buddies, but I can never forget Toby.

Sorry about the hastily taken photos.

Dakotahound > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/04/2019 at 09:16

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The apples are a mystery. Someone obviously buried them there, but we do not know why. We also cannot figure out how Toby knew that they were there. They are ceramic, and should not have a scent.

Beatrice looks determined to get a truck ride. She sounds like a loyal friend.

We have adopted new pups - Savannah and Zephyr. They are brother and sister foxhounds. I posted a picture (not a very good one) below.

Dakotahound > i86hotdogs 06/04/2019 at 09:17

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He looks like a happy guy.

Dakotahound > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/04/2019 at 09:38

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I also mentioned that the new pups were a bit of a handful. Here is my wife’s shoe. She will not be very happy about it.

Chariotoflove > Dakotahound 06/04/2019 at 09:59

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Dogs are a blessing beyond their years. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Dakotahound 06/04/2019 at 10:09

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Ouch. My wife threatened to get rid of our new pup after he chewed on her dining table. He is definitely destructive. Keeping lots of chewable items around helps. Out of everything pictured below, only the yellow squeaky tennis ball remains.

I had to remind her that Beatrice was just as bad in her younger years and to this day, no stuffed toy is safe around her.

Dakotahound > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/04/2019 at 10:51

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Yes, we have been accused of spoiling our dogs with too many toys. W e have learned, however, that toys are a lot cheaper than dining room tables and shoes.