Toby Saves the Day

My name is Sue DesMarais, a new Jackson resident and 34 year old police officer retired early after being badly injured in the line of duty. I've been called a hero for the events that led up to my career ending injury but today my hero came in the form of my one year old shepherd mix, Toby. Early this morning I noticed a strange smell in my home and attributed it to some water damage/mold in one of the spare rooms from the recent rain. Hours later I was on my way out the door when Toby, a usually mellow and quiet boy began to fuss. He was biting at my pants leg and not letting my out of the front door, he then drew my attention to the door of the closed off spare room. He began jumping up, barking and pouncing on the door. A reading light had been turned on and fallen over into a pile of laundry, it was smoldering for hours and had just burst into flames when Toby alerted me. My police officer training took over and I was able to put out the fire with out incident. I can only imagine what kind of devastation and heart break I would have returned to if Toby had not saved the day.

This is truly a miracle as is Toby's life's story. I adopted him from the North Shore Animal League 7/3/05 when he was 3 months old. He has been badly abused by his former owner and was extremely fearful of everyone and everything except for me. You couldn't even move your hand fast around him without him running away in fear of being hit. For the longest time I was the only person who could pet him but through proper positive reward training and socialization the former scared shelter pup is now a hero. I hope anyone considering getting a dog should visit th eir local shelter, I saved Toby and Toby saved me. Perhaps you can print Toby's heroic actions and shed a positive light on all of the wonderful shelter dogs awaiting a loving home.

Thank you so very much for your time in reading this and for any consideration you can give Toby's story.
Respectfully,
Sue DesMarais