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W WOOD N FLOOR We Install All Kinds of Floors, Stairs and Railings Refinish Your Wood Floor Like New Serving Oakville residents for over 20 years Call KAZ 905-338-1881 www.woodnfloor.ca w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , N ov em be r 2 6, 2 01 0 8 Tobi, like all faithful family pets, deserves to be famous While not common, Kim Hafer, hospital manager, told the Beaver, We have seen this a few times. While the long-time Oakville resident admits she approaches her faithful friend each morning on all fours so as not to startle him awake and hes not subjected to any medical procedures he doesnt really need its evident Tobi has been the recipient of lots of love in his life. The Border Collie/Sheltie mix was adopted from the Oakville and Milton Humane Society on Dec. 4, 1992. He was estimated to be nine months to one year old. I still have the original adoption papers, said Schmid. Similar papers have verified that Bluey (June 7, 1910 Nov. 14, 1939) an Australian cattle dog in Australia, lived 29 years, five months and seven days. Bluey holds the world record for being the oldest dog, which has been verified by Guinness World Records. Schmid isnt so much interested in establishing Tobis verifiable age, however, as she is enjoying each day with the dog who has been not only a faithful friend but also one of the family. Referring to the writing about dogs, Schmid said, Tobi has taught us all of that and then some, he is the best dog ever. The secret to Tobis longevity? He has had regular meals, regular exercise, lots of growing up with growing chil- dren Schmids children Lauren and Geoff are now aged 27 and 30, respectively and lots of love. Back in the day, we were still travelling to Europe, wed take the kids every two years, said Schmid. So the family settled on hamsters and the usual stuff, said Schmid. Then, they stepped up to the plate to try a cat. None were available at the time, so the Schmids signed up to be a foster family for cats. Then came the call. Staff at the local shelter had taken in dogs themselves. But there was one puppy at the shelter that wouldnt be ken- neled, would follow staff around and was going to need a home, even if temporary, over the holidays. Well, according to Schmid, Geoff, then 12, did not want a dog. We were sitting in the room and the dog came in and wouldnt you know it, he would go right to my son and put his head on his lap, laughed Schmid. Her son began to utter, Well, maybe just this once. By the time the holidays had past, so too had any chance Tobi would be going back to the shelter. That actually was the case from the moment Tobi came home with the Schmids. As the shelter likes to say, he had found his forever home. And to this day, Tobi and Geoff are fast friends. Schmid again laughs as she describes, then gives a tour, of the newest addition to her home a ramp, not for her to negoti- ate steps in the winter, but for Tobi so he doesnt have to take the stairs if hes not up to it. When her son heard that Tobi could benefit from such an addition with winter approach- ing, he was over almost imme- diately and set to work. It was completed in short order. The ramp has anti-skid bars and a string of patio lamps secured to it to light Tobis way in the dark of winter. So Tobi, out on the deck, demonstrates how he descends into the yard for a stroll via his new ramp and then bounds up the steps to go back inside. If I want something, I have to wait, nothing is too good for the dog, laughed Schmid of her sons effort. Tobi has no health issues, said Schmid, other than simply being 19, having had a lump on his rear that antibiotics fixed up last year and having selective hearing. Schmid rustles a bag of treats or extends a hand for a petting and Tobi meanders over stopping en route to investi- gate any, say purse, that may offer hidden treasure to loot. Hes a little slower than he used to be, he has a special food Continued from page 1 See Dogs page 10 Timeless TreasuresWoven for Generations FALL SALE ON NOW! FREE IN-HOME TRIAL AVAILABLE BURLINGTON 1200 BRANT ST @ QEW (IN THE BEST BUY PLAZA) 905.319.3535 Mon, Tues, Wed 10am-7pm; Thurs, Fri 10am-9pm Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12noon-5pm OAKVILLE DORVAL CROSSING EAST (EAST SIDE OF DORVAL @ QEW) 905.337.1010 Mon Closed, Tues, Wed 10am-8pm; Thurs, Fri 10am-9pm Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12noon-5pm THE AREAS LARGEST SELECTION OF IMPORTED HAND MADE & MACHINE MADE AREA RUGS Ghalib Sealife Davinchi Crystal CONTEMPORARY TRADITIONAL TRANSITIONAL NO HST! This Weekend Only Sale ends 5 pm Sunday