A Little Puppy with Big Struggles
When Dr. Oliver Reeve, a compassionate veterinarian at Onewa Road Veterinary Hospital, first laid eyes on a tiny 7-week-old poodle mix named Toby, he immediately noticed something beyond the puppy’s illness. Toby’s big brown eyes were clouded with pain, yet they sparkled with trust and joy. Even though his body ached, his tail wagged and his spirit radiated hope.
Toby was suffering from a congenital condition called entropion — a painful disorder where the eyelids roll inward, causing the puppy’s lashes and fur to scrape against the delicate surface of his eyes. For such a young pup, every blink brought discomfort. To his original family, the diagnosis sounded overwhelming and expensive, a burden too heavy to bear. They believed the kindest option might be euthanasia.
But to Dr. Reeve, it was clear: this puppy’s story was not meant to end at the very start. “Even though he was uncomfortable, he was confident and endlessly friendly,” he recalled. “I just knew we could fix this. He deserved the chance to live a good life.”
Adoption That Changed Everything
When Toby’s first family surrendered him to the clinic, Dr. Reeve made a life-changing decision on the spot — he adopted the fragile little puppy himself. From that moment, Toby wasn’t just a patient; he was family.
Dr. Reeve wasted no time crafting a treatment plan. The corrective surgery for entropion wasn’t complicated, but with puppies, it often requires a temporary fix before their face fully develops. Still, Dr. Reeve believed Toby’s case would go smoothly.
And it did. After the first procedure, Toby experienced immediate relief. His eyes no longer burned with every blink, and he began to explore his surroundings with newfound curiosity. Surprisingly, his healing went so well that the second surgery Dr. Reeve had planned wasn’t even necessary.
For Toby, this was the first step toward freedom from pain. For Dr. Reeve and his wife, it was the beginning of a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs.
More Trials, More Lessons
Life after surgery wasn’t immediately easy. Toby’s fragile body faced additional health issues in the following weeks — illnesses that left him weak and uncertain. For most new pet owners, this might have been overwhelming. But Dr. Reeve approached it with patience and devotion, determined not to let the little pup down.
In fact, being both Toby’s caregiver and his veterinarian gave Dr. Reeve a new perspective on his profession. “As vets, we often guide families through their pets’ illnesses,” he said. “But being on the other side — the worried parent of a sick animal — helped me truly understand what my clients go through. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience.”
Through dedicated treatment, round-the-clock monitoring, and lots of love, Toby pulled through. Each setback was followed by another victory. Slowly, his frail body strengthened, and his puppy personality began to shine in ways no one had ever seen before.
A Life Filled with Joy and Belonging
Six months after his adoption, Toby was unrecognizable from the sickly little puppy who first arrived at the hospital. His curls grew fluffy, his eyes brightened, and his boundless energy made him the heart of every room he entered.
Now, Toby spends his days alongside Dr. Reeve at the veterinary clinic, where he has become something of a beloved mascot. Staff members and clients alike look forward to his cheerful presence. He’s more than a pet — he’s a reminder of resilience and joy, a symbol of second chances.
When the clinic closes for the day, Toby’s adventures continue. Trips to the park are his favorite. He delights in chasing — and being chased by — dogs of every size and age. “His absolute favorite thing in the world is playing with other dogs,” Dr. Reeve shared with a laugh. “His second favorite is nibbling on my earlobes — and I still have no idea why.”
But perhaps the most beautiful moments are the quiet ones. Toby often stands in his yard, nose lifted to the breeze, eyes closed as if savoring every sensation. It’s in these moments that Dr. Reeve feels most grateful. “He just radiates happiness,” he said. “It’s infectious. I’m not religious, but sometimes it feels like he’s a little angel in dog form.”
More Than Just a Rescue Story
Toby’s story isn’t only about a veterinarian saving a dog — it’s about the powerful bond that forms when someone chooses love over convenience, hope over despair. Dr. Reeve could have looked at Toby’s illness and decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Instead, he saw the puppy’s spirit and chose to fight for it.
That choice didn’t just give Toby life — it gave him a family, a purpose, and a chance to spread joy everywhere he goes. In return, Toby gave Dr. Reeve something just as meaningful: perspective, gratitude, and a daily reminder of why compassion matters.
As Toby continues to grow, he’s no longer just “the puppy who almost didn’t make it.” He’s the dog who turned a clinic into a family, who reminds everyone that every life deserves a chance, no matter how fragile it seems.
