At just seven weeks old, a poodle-mix puppy named Toby was brought into Onewa Road Veterinary Hospital in New Zealand with a serious eye condition—and an even more heartbreaking fate. Toby suffered from entropion, a painful congenital disorder that caused his lower eyelids to roll inward, forcing his eyelashes and fur to scrape against his corneas.
The condition left Toby in constant discomfort. His original family, unable to afford treatment, made the painful decision to have him euthanized.
But Dr. Oliver Reeve, the veterinarian on duty that day, saw something no one else did—a will to live and a spirit that deserved a second chance.
“He Just Radiated a Joyful Vibe”
Despite his pain, Toby wagged his tail and greeted everyone with surprising warmth.
“Even though he was so uncomfortable, he was still so friendly and confident,” Dr. Reeve told The Dodo. “He just radiated a joyful vibe. I was sure we could fix him and give him a really good life.”
When the family relinquished ownership, Dr. Reeve made a quick and life-changing decision—he adopted Toby on the spot.
A Simple Surgery That Made a Big Difference
Toby’s condition, though serious, was treatable. Dr. Reeve performed a temporary procedure to roll out the puppy’s eyelids. He explained that young dogs often need temporary fixes first, since their faces are still growing.
“He was comfortable pretty much immediately after that,” Reeve said. “The healing went really well, so well, in fact, that he hasn’t ended up needing the second surgery I had planned.”
But Toby’s recovery journey was far from over.
A Vet’s Hardest Lesson—and Biggest Reward
In the weeks that followed, Toby developed a string of mysterious illnesses. He was in and out of discomfort, and his new family was forced into the stressful role of caretaker and patient advocate.
“[It was] a pretty good learning experience for a vet to be on the receiving end of an animal’s illness,” Dr. Reeve said. “It helps you really understand what your clients are going through.”
With persistent care, Toby’s health began to improve. Slowly, his energy returned—and so did his puppy-like mischief.
From Clinic Companion to Canine Star
Today, Toby joins Dr. Reeve at the clinic every day, where he’s become something of a mascot. He brings joy to nervous patients and has woven himself into the hearts of the entire staff.
“Toby is now a vet’s dog, which means he comes to the clinic each day with me,” Reeve shared. “He is adored at work, and the clinic staff are part of his extended family.”
Outside of work, Toby lives for dog parks and playdates. “His absolute favorite thing in the whole world is playing with other dogs,” said Reeve. “His second favorite thing is nibbling my earlobes. I’m not sure why.”
A Second Chance, A Lifetime of Joy
Six months ago, Toby came within moments of death. Today, he’s a thriving, fluffy, joy-filled dog with an entire clinic’s worth of people who love him.
“The thing I love about Toby is that he is such a joyful and carefree being,” Reeve said. “He’ll stand outside in our yard with his nose held in the air and his eyes closed, enjoying the wind in his face. I’m not religious, but he does seem like a little angel in dog form sometimes.”
Toby’s story proves that compassion, even in the face of uncertainty, can change a life forever.
