Jess was concerned about Toby’s reaction when he first met his foster sister, a nine-year-old terrier. Jess’s closest buddy was Toby. The thought of expanding their tiny family sounded a little intimidating, but they had experienced some wonderful adventures and had developed a deep relationship. Over a few hazy days, Toby and Amos’ bond deepened.

Before meeting Jess, Amos had never lived in a house and had spent his whole existence in a rescue center. Amos started to dislike the way carpet made his paws feel, would bump against walls, and developed a phobia of TV noises. Simple things like finding the water bowl were quite difficult for the blind dog.

Toby was initially dubious of Amos, but Jess quickly noticed something extraordinary. If Toby saw Amos squinting to find his water bowl, she would nudge him in the right direction. The occasional gentle prod that started out as it did eventually became Amos getting his own guide. The fact that Jess and her family had gained yet another beloved friend was known to them.

Amos was evaluated by an eye doctor as he aged. It was determined that since his eyes were probably causing him daily discomfort and suffering, having them removed would be the most compassionate course of action. Toby quickly took on the role of Amos’ “unofficial guide dog” following the procedure.

When Amos and Toby first went for walks together, he was anxious. He would be terrified by the sounds around him and would need to stop frequently to rest and refocus. When he was ready to continue, Toby would immediately lay down next to him!

Now, one of the furry best buddies’ favorite pastimes is hiking across the hills! Toby uses body bumps and nudges to help Amos navigate the slopes, and if the boy wanders off the route, he assists in bringing him back on track.

They get along well and are considerate of one another’s limitations.

Although Amos has mastered the skill of hiking, he still has a lot to learn about human interaction and canine socialization. Toby would frequently act as a mediator during these encounters because Amos’ inability to communicate like a typical dog would scares off many dogs. Toby and Jess collaborate every day to improve his social skills!

Amos could not have asked for a better guide or guardian than Toby! They had each other as a longtime buddy.