Toby crossed the Rainbow Bridge cradled in love

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sad news that early this morning, around 5:30 am, our sweet Toby crossed the Rainbow Bridge — held close and surrounded by love.

Toby was rescued last Monday (08/25) and rushed to the vet clinic where he began his treatment right away. We knew it was going to be hard ‘cos his condition was critical but for a few days, things seemed to be going well.

Paul and I were so hopeful that he could make it!

However, over the weekend he stopped eating, though he was still drinking water and resting lots. I began syringe feeding him liquid food to keep him strong enough for his medications, he continued drinking on his own and he’d start purring away everytime Paul came into the room to be with him but last night things started to get rough.

He vomited a few times throughout the night and then a couple of hours before dawn, Toby went into distress, gasping for breath. We wrapped him in a soft blanket, held him close, and reassured him with every gentle stroke that he was not alone.

Showing signs of sudden cardiac arrest, he fought until the end. Toby looked at us and gave us one last ‘meow’ and just minutes later he took his final breath in my arms.

It was heartbreaking to watch him cling so fiercely to life.

This loss is so devastating for us. What hurts the most is knowing that Toby’s suffering began long before we found him — abandoned, left behind by those who should have cared for him; the damage done was beyond repair.

We wanted so bad to believe he could overcome so much abuse and neglect, but the sad truth is his fragile body couldn’t; he never stood a chance alone on the streets, not with his illnesses and pain. He was such a gentle soul, he deserved better.

But we also take comfort in knowing that he did not leave this world alone on the streets.

For the week he was with us, Toby knew love — real, unconditional love — and he left this world held, cherished, and reminded that his life mattered.

Toby will be cremated, and his urn will remain in the sanctuary, alongside the rescues who passed before him, and he will forever be part of our family.

Rest gently now, Toby, your pain is gone, your body whole, cradled in the arms of the Lord