Adopted Arlington Foster Pet Goes On Amazing Adventure
By Carol Weemes, Arlington Animal Services
Posted on June 12, 2020, June 12, 2020

Toby on a horse

From riding a horse, to getting to meet and be held by three-time Super Bowl Champion, Jay Novacek and beautiful Cowboys Cheerleaders, this foster pet is living the dream!

Toby’s journey began on a cold, foggy Saturday morning in February 2019. He was one of a litter of puppies found and taken to the Animal Services Center for help. Toby and his three siblings were too young to be adopted and needed a foster family.

After two weeks of nurturing by their foster parents, Toby and his siblings grew bigger and stronger, and were ready for adoption. Each of these loveable pets found homes, including Toby, who was adopted by his foster family.

Life with his foster pet parent, Ray Rentschler, field operations manager at Animal Services is an everyday adventure. Toby is part of the Animal Services Center family, too.

Educating youth is one of Toby’s favorite pastimes. He attends summer youth camps, and when school is in session, he accompanies Rentschler on special visits, teaching elementary students about pet’s basic needs such as a good home with food and water, having good hygiene, getting a microchip and regular vet check-ups and enjoying lots of fun with their family.

Toby also promotes the annual Arlington Animal Essay Contest, founded almost two decades ago by educator and animal activist, Council member Sheri Capehart.

Rentschler demonstrates Toby’s good behavior walking on a leash, teaching about leash laws, and picking up after going potty to help keep Arlington clean. Toby has great manners and provides doses of pet therapy to those he visits too.

Toby is a wonderful dog – and in case you might be wondering about his breed, he had his DNA analyzed, and the results indicated he is 50% Shih Tzu, 37.5% Chihuahua, and 12.5% Italian Greyhound.

Click here to see more photos of Toby.

Interested in fostering a pet? Arlington Animal Services offers an online foster pet orientation. Simply watch the presentation, take the quiz, and contact the Foster Coordinator at [email protected].

Learn more about the shelter’s volunteer program at https://arlingtontx.gov/animalvolunteer where we also have a link to an online volunteer orientation. We are always looking for new volunteers!

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