Tonka Justin

Our hearts go out to the family of alumnus Tonka Justin. He’s now tucked in their hearts forever.

His mom writes: Wanted to pass along some sad news… we lost our precious boy Tonka rather suddenly yesterday afternoon. We are so grateful for the 10 months we had together. He made our house full again and we miss him dearly. Want to thank you for your help and support in his adoption.

Yesterday was a great day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and I found my furever home!

Foster Mom almost cried, especially when I hopped in the car to leave and barely looked back. She says my new family has no kids or other dogs, so I get all the attention to myself. I can’t wait to be spoiled.

And I’m really looking forward to exploring my new digs and finding all the best napping spots with my best polar bear. In fact, I already found a great napping spot during the car ride home. My new parents and I make a great trio!

Today was a really sad day for my family, and for my friend Maizy and me.

My name is Tonka and I am 5 years old. I am wearing a blue harness and my friend is wearing pink. She is 3.

All the way to rescue, our mom cried. She was not sure she was going to get of the car so we could say our goodbyes. My mom has a scrapbook of me from the day I was born until they placed me in her arms when I was 8 weeks old. It was love at first sight.

A year or so ago, Maizy joined our family and we have been a close family: my mom, my dad, my friend Maizy and me. And then guess what happened? A real skin sister moved home with twins and wow, we didn’t see that coming.

The babies, the toys, the constant babies in motion… Really, we just felt scared. They were so little, and I am so big. They would get close ~ too close for me. They would ride their toys up and down the hall and I was like, “Hello, do you see me?”

And sometimes, Maizy would have an accident in the house and one of those twins would slip and fall. It was just a constant thing: two babies in motion and Maizy and I moving out of the way.

We loved the older kids who came to visit because they would play with us. We played chase and tug-o-war and we played “follow me.”

But it was just those twins. When the twins moved in, everything changed for Maizy and me. Maizy is scared of the dark and she has to sleep with a light on, or she won’t sleep. I have a special stuffed animal that is just for me.

All that being said, we are not a bonded pair. We can be adopted together or we can go our separate ways. We can sleep together, but really, we can sleep alone too.

In a perfect world, we would still be with mom and dad, but life happens and change happens. Now, we will start the next chapter of our lives.

3/15/21 Update: Just checking in after my first night in my foster pad… I’m getting used to my new place really quickly. I found the back door right away, so I can tell Foster Mom when I need to go outside and do my business.

I have a little Bulldog sister and she’s OK, as far as sisters go. She barks at me a lot. I think that means she wants to play or something. But right now, I just want to explore my new place and lounge around with my stuffed polar bear.

Foster Mom says my Bulldog sister could learn a few things from me because I’m very well behaved. I do everything she tells me to do.

And don’t let my size fool you. I’m as sweet as they come. I surprised Foster Mom one time with a big, juicy kiss. She wiped it off right away, but I could tell she loved it. And I snuggled up right next to her to go to sleep last night. My polar bear and I could get used to it here, at least until I find my furever family.

3/22/21 Update: It’s been an exciting week for me! I met my human brothers and they love me. I have to say, the feeling is pretty mutual. We like to play tug of war together. They are pretty good at it, but I always win. One of foster mom’s friends from the rescue stopped by to take my stitches out for me and I look handsome as ever now. Foster mom has taken me on a few short walks and says I’m a pro at walking on a leash. When I’m not out for a walk or playing with my human brothers, I love to lounge around the house. There are so many good lounging spots that I can’t pick a favorite. With the weather being so nice lately, I like to sit on the back patio and enjoy the scenery. My bulldog sister still tries to get me to play a lot. She just barks and barks at me, but I ignore her and go back to sleep or back to chewing on my polar bear.

Foster mom took me to a pizza paw-ty this weekend and I met lots of other bulldogs and people. There was a lot going on, but foster mom says I did great with the other dogs. I just hung back and watched everything going on. Of course I let plenty of people love on me. Hopefully one of them will be my furever family. I’m a pretty chill guy. If you need a big furry couch potato to love, I’m your guy!

3/27/21 Update: Foster Mom decided to give me a bath. I don’t know why. I think I smell just fine but she insisted. And boy, did she sure regret it! I’ve been such a good boy since I came to live with her that she was surprised when I wouldn’t sit still or do anything she said while I was in that bath. I just wanted to get out quick! Thankfully, she finished up as fast as she could and gave me a treat when I was done. Now, I’m all nice and clean and ready for my forever family!

3/30/21 Update: Part time dishwasher seeking long term employment.

Strengths: Gives a good pre-clean lick before the dishwasher does the real work; will lick any dish, anytime no matter what’s been on it.

Weaknesses: Requires frequent breaks, naps and ear scratches.

References available. Serious inquiries only.

4/5/21 Update: Hey everyone. Your favorite Tonka Truck (aka Tonka Justin) is checking in. I’ve had a great week in my foster home. I’ve gone on several walks with foster mom, found some new places to curl up for a good nap, and even played some with my bulldog sister (even though I still prefer to ignore her most of the time). When foster mom stops petting me or scratching my ears, I turn around and give her a look like “um, excuse me. Why did you stop?!” I love to lay next to her, and sometimes even lay on her pillow like a human!

Whenever foster mom takes me for a walk people stop her to pet me because I am so handsome. She says I’m such a good boy. I’m totally house trained, crate trained, and I know several commands. When foster mom gets my harness I get really excited because I know we are about to go on an adventure together. One day she took me to school to pick up my foster brothers and I did great around all those kids and a little bulldog puppy who was there.

I do enjoy my foster home, but I’d really love a forever family that wants a big, sweet snuggle dog to love on. Could it be you??