Vet Adopts Tiny Puppy With Painful Eye Condition — And Gives Him The Sweetest New Life
When veterinarian Oliver Reeve first met Toby, a 7-week-old poodle mix, he immediately saw something special in the little puppy that others had missed.
Toby had been brought to Onewa Road Veterinary Hospital with a painful condition called entropion, in which his lower eyelids rolled inward, causing his eyelashes and fur to rub against his corneas. His first family feared the worst — but Dr. Reeve saw hope.
“Even though he was clearly uncomfortable, he was still so friendly and confident,” Reeve told The Dodo. “He just radiated joy. I knew we could help him and give him a good life.”
Sadly, Toby’s original family couldn’t afford the surgery he needed. But instead of giving up, Dr. Reeve made a life-changing decision — he adopted Toby himself.
He quickly began treatment, performing a delicate surgery to roll Toby’s eyelids back into their proper position. Normally, puppies require a second, permanent operation after they mature, but to everyone’s surprise, Toby recovered so well that he never needed it.
“He was comfortable almost immediately,” Reeve said. “His healing went so smoothly that we didn’t have to do the second surgery at all.”
Still, Toby’s journey wasn’t without challenges. In the weeks that followed, he battled several mysterious illnesses that even his new dad found difficult to diagnose.
“It was a humbling experience — being on the other side of things as a pet parent,” Reeve shared. “It helped me understand what my clients go through.”
With patience and love, Toby pulled through each setback. Soon, his fluffy curls grew, and his playful personality began to shine.
Now fully healthy, Toby spends every day by his dad’s side at the clinic — greeting patients, spreading joy, and reminding everyone what resilience looks like.
“He’s adored at work,” Reeve said. “The staff are like his extended family.”
When the workday ends, Toby and Dr. Reeve head to the park, where Toby runs and plays with every dog he meets — big or small.
“His favorite thing in the world is playing chase with other dogs,” Reeve said with a laugh. “His second favorite thing is nibbling my earlobes — I still don’t know why.”
It’s been just six months since the tiny, struggling puppy first arrived at the clinic — and now Toby is a happy, curly-haired bundle of joy who loves life with all his heart.
“He’s so joyful and carefree,” Reeve said. “Sometimes he just stands outside with his eyes closed, feeling the wind on his face. It’s infectious. I’m not religious, but he really does seem like a little angel in dog form.”