Toby the terrier’s life began with hardship in South Korea, where he was abandoned and left to fend for himself.
His wanderings led him to an auto repair shop, and from there, to a shelter that could only offer him a cold kennel outside in the harsh winter.
Fortune smiled on Toby when Band for Animal, a rescue organization, stepped in.
They saved him from the dire conditions and flew him to America, away from the perils of the Korean dog meat trade and overcrowded shelters.
In America, Toby found a temporary home with the Hoang family, who were instantly smitten with their new furry guest.
The Hoangs, new to the world of dog fostering, opened their home and hearts to Toby.
Despite their immediate affection, Toby was hesitant and guarded, a natural response given his past.
He spent most of his time in his crate, and on the rare occasions he ventured out, he would stand still, silently observing his new environment and family.
With time and patience, the Hoangs earned Toby’s trust.
The little terrier began to show a particular fondness for Mr. Hoang. Ann Hoang recalls:
“At first, my husband was unsure of Toby because he was very timid and also this was our very first foster experience. However, by the first evening, Toby had sat down next to my husband and he looked up at him with his puppy dog eyes, my husband saw kindness in Toby’s face. Toby seemed to attach to my husband pretty quickly from there on out.”
As days passed, the bond between Toby and his foster dad only grew stronger.
Toby also found companionship with Charlie, the family’s other dog, and the two forged a strong friendship.
When the time came for Toby to potentially move to a ‘forever home’, Ann was approached by interested adopters.
The thought of Toby leaving was unbearable, especially for her husband, with whom Toby had become inseparable.
It was then Ann realized that Toby was meant to stay with them permanently.
Ann decided to adopt Toby without her husband’s knowledge.
She coordinated with Band for Animal to arrange a surprise.
Under the guise of a final home check by a volunteer, who was supposedly a prospective adopter, the stage was set for the big reveal.
The volunteer’s visit concluded with a touching moment when she handed a card to Mr. Hoang, announcing that Toby was officially part of their family.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he broke down in tears, embracing Toby, relieved and overjoyed that they would not be parted.
“My husband is such a giving person, always putting others before himself,” Ann said.
“He’s never really asked for anything or wanted anything badly. Toby was the first experience where I could see he would be heartbroken without him.”
Now, Toby and his dad share an unbreakable bond, secure in the knowledge that they will always have each other.
Watch the heart tugging moment in the video below!
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