Some pet owners have become accustomed to their furry friends being there to greet them when they get home from work. Roman, an optometrist in Chicago, Illinois, leads a medium-sized transportation company in this situation.
Roman regularly checks through the window when he arrives home from work because his dog Toby is always waiting for him there.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9OgmenbXKEEo1C0G7yQrM6tLTP3VTizYrJOLrLO4CA33bEsUwNeoqUBrIH3Ac3JHOW24nVPqdTawPuq6zEoNC7AmcX0DgNkzjMvsq2QfMo4K7otFPId0-0t16qKPWIE0nQMSABeLtVuEfI7TgCflSeWDm4BveJmPl2-0TtDAJJdQgQl-Aud_fVG6/w640-h450/pic1-12.png)
This charming and steadfast routine lasted for eleven years.
Roman, however, just encountered a really challenging situation. His long-time devoted dog, Toby, passed away.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hO47C_OI6RI-QmdvyxupXjMPheJ99mvkdmOPqmBT3f14M1k_m-q_9momGlJawiTUpJuvt68s7QhSgcl_IBUyARHAItc8kWhlFLYpKZvhs_HgbPmKtlwRFcKwsOM9WL0lEBF8tSn2RBYjtGxfHE9nwDAW47AU7hdLXfBMGy7K00RDHzThZptYp3LW/w640-h480/pic2-13.png)
The happy puppy that was waiting for him before has disappeared from his window.
Even though Toby has been gone for a while, every day when Roman arrives home from work, he still instinctively looks up at the window. But it was all in vain because he will no longer get to see his cherished puppy at his window.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjE8Y6-wCzZqijraNprCmXrYJ4F-0k-rq4fgs6YDe1p1uOzdlAV4SCdpqcMlQFqXiQuD4T3-rrq7PfnAKFL1rq4nVAX7snZfLcgurKBdtolFCYbYWb1sP8Iz4vAcdhvBAkNfZSgLxcMAV2Cwlrsc-KegqBAojzhlR_ol6hqPqA229urC_deT6bkY5/w640-h560/pic9-2-696x665.png)
When Toby and his then-dog first met, it was 14 years ago, he was only 2 years old.
When they first met, Toby feces in Roman’s living room, making Roman think Toby was a brat. The two did not get along at first.
Smart Toby is a very affectionate dog. He typically acts evil and cunningly because he wants Roman’s attention. Roman complains about this and quarrels with Toby constantly about petty things.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38ATA_w4pJn6V6ty7GYB1RYGGYAUJjEFNvxpE2VK-1rzkiibNtQm1UeELfdM_F9IcbdLxf52hcKz-DDNOLnzdyzRWbK4j8cpLjxLQLwo0Sw-ibViwqZAXfePovV5hMlUliP3ENkBLOL4U0tbyV06jzKPgA0GafjqS2CxMUfrJ66J5cDGNw0Dy6Qv2/w640-h430/pic13.png)
Roman’s fiancée ultimately convinced him to stop being angry with Toby, saying, “Just treat Toby like a human child.
Roman tried to adjust his behavior around Toby as a result, but he was unprepared for the dog to do the same, as if he understood.
After a while, Roman and Toby became inseparable, and their relationship went beyond that of Toby and his fiancée.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58gNXZ3D9kos_7BvUobTbf4NEci2fJWTpSmaMZPXKKQDf_t48d3-q2siqOuzIEVVD1NyYFQnCgorxamMK99a7w1CSabNlf9Q_rgZJRShzK-7alwapx_3wJCSGxBB3xad8Jm06BaM09z3sUq3jQuk3D9OpaqxbjDMfMzzojyDg9m1rlTHoQ2SjYMKD/w640-h634/pic12-696x929.png)
A few years later, Roman got divorced from his bride-to-be and gave the house to Toby since he couldn’t bear to be without her.
Roman’s friends and family have changed throughout the years, but only Toby has always at his side.
Roman’s years with Toby meant that he never experienced loneliness.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMt5umjg8aPed9TzhILNfB-pwmfJs50cCbDpMGicKVOMwpASx7QQUal-7A-_2IGJuJEm8xmLLH3SG5m_4Z8AJV9mvE-S3K5gcMoQdxD7Tos6voPL4RPPsnX6FRoozOEUTa687gK1w3FgLcTqyqSR_LvEJPTYl2xRYHI1Cm5-UDGkW-0cshZjcEVQY/w636-h640/pic14.png)
Roman typically works 8 to 10 hours a day as an optician. Over time, Toby became aware of the regularity of his workday.
While waiting for Roman to arrive home from work, he would lie by the window.
As soon as Toby notices Roman’s car pulling up, he jumps with excitement. He then bobs his head and waits for Roman to open the door.
If Roman left for a short while and then came back, Toby would be as happy as if he hadn’t seen him in a long time.
The waiting has continued every year, day and night, through the seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Year after year, Toby waits for his master to come home.
In Roman’s heart, Toby is a perfect dog who can never be replaced. He gets along well with others and is kind, especially to kids.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse09PX3N9LlGRZzTAz0QmkCDhC2ASYUm4ja5O1bcobftqd-myh5o6Tblk41hIN8S3I6YDNAkIpwo8B0GaLzFK5K2fnIV0M5UU6oK1yzuT7r0Bt_k-qn9C-VlHN372L6xqoLhk1ID7fP98TZvNmBDrIWBrsGE_yVFldJm5pdD_lfj89ihfZ-OaII1C/w612-h640/pic16.png)
Unfortunately, Toby had cancer, was ill, had undergone a number of procedures, including one for dilated cardiomyopathy. Following three significant operations, he was given a stage 4 cancer and renal failure diagnosis in October 2018.
By February 2019, Toby’s body had become incredibly frail, and he was unable to swallow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWH-EhEHXKMlf3Nnj18yR4LzxvYBspyWKSVotMnGQbQ3fmQ7m_gwxvStAvhpv-DzjtFsHJyylYT5M1XnVhp9bw6vWgHkG5ExPxLb-Dcz8DW5zCDJD7kS0A_hCp6_TTXiuO0O8LY-V5H9wjwiZkvzSEarc06wqIdnFtTmxB3YWadO8SzEgRqdfGDPR/w640-h628/pic8-2.png)
Toby was bid farewell by Roman and his friends who did not want him to endure much more pain. He chose to bring Toby to the veterinarian for euthanasia.
For many years, Toby has been presumed dead.
However, Roman’s propensity for gazing out the window couldn’t be helped. He had the feeling that Toby was never absent, always there.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iG98mISap1gMqinqZJ2h8-pM9dsiCdHU508jKEgQDztuNfGbz3IlKC0rVWSt7LE7JgJtDqzYnJzSyYuqx7vzJP60kBaknWtHzKKrLqV3LRhg0LRxRbHy-5twiNPPOjkMExnIf_Jgb8SeDp_kE87Mdg833omHNbKLE3Bcv7yX2JbsC1FrXhxr4GTR/w640-h420/pic7-4.png)
In an effort to make Roman’s life as bright and colorful as possible, Toby got him the best companion anyone could ask for. Toby is really similar to every other furry infant in this area. They are a continuous friend, despite the fact that they occasionally cause issues.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rVzl08N_Nwc4hEcmCAVogWpGHTesv-783YqD-nGBx8g7tvQ54DAsBtP8gUuTmBiwrYVhezKqJZLP5voqemPPfnqIYHjg5yxCj6LemdWWYLlNEyIZnboN4YPuo-75JiDSmcBR1_pwW9qN7w3yrWchXnAMA1GS1QVW_2jUaOh0UiNJYuqIZn0zb3tr/w544-h640/pic19-696x928.png)
They gradually grow to be our most loyal friends and, in some circumstances, even family
Leave a Reply