From the moment he padded into Gideon Luty’s life, Toby was more than just a service dog. He was a lifeline. A friend. A local star. The kind of dog who didn’t just walk through the town of Milton. He lit it up.
Toby, a Labradoodle trained to help Luty manage PTSD, died on May 2 after a sudden battle with Addison’s disease. He was seven. And while his passing hit hard, the outpouring of love across Milton made it clear that Toby was unforgettable.
A Service Dog With a Gentle Nature
A service dog is trained to help. That is the job. But Toby went beyond that. He could sense when Luty was spiraling into panic and gently bring him back. He knew when to nudge, when to lie close, when to simply be there.
The News / For someone who served his country and came back needing something steady, Toby became that anchor.
Luty didn’t just see Toby as a helper. He was a partner, a co-pilot in every sense. Together, they visited other veterans. Toby gave calm to the shaken, hope to the worn-out. Even kids in the ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ program found comfort in his calm, playful energy.
Milton’s Celebrity Sidekick
If you spent any time in downtown Milton during the holidays, you probably saw Toby. He might have been wearing a Santa hat. Or riding shotgun in a sidecar while Luty played The Grinch. Either way, he made people smile.
What started as simple outings turned into something more. Toby became a bit of a celebrity. Kids waved at him like he was a movie star. Adults lit up just seeing him trot along. His charm didn’t come from tricks.
It came from presence. He showed up, and that mattered.
A Final Year With a Last Gift
Last spring, Toby had a health scare. The details were not made public, but he pulled through just barely. And he made the most of the time he had left. One more year of visits, rides, and silent strength.
One more year to remind people what real loyalty looks like!
E Online / One mother wrote about how her autistic son had connected with Toby during a community event.
When he passed, it was quick. Addison’s disease doesn’t always give a warning. It attacks the adrenal glands and hits hard when it hits. There is treatment, but sometimes there is just not enough time.
Still, Toby didn’t waste a second. He gave everything he had, right to the end.
The Loss Felt Around Town
When the news broke on Facebook, the response was huge. Comments poured in. Stories. Memories. Gratitude. Another user, identifying as disabled, simply thanked Toby for showing them what a true service dog can be.
That is the thing with dogs like Toby. They don’t just serve their owners. They serve everyone around them. Without trying. Just by being who they are.
Gideon Luty posted a message of thanks. His heart was heavy, but his words were full of gratitude. He said Toby changed his life, gave him peace, and gave him purpose. Thanks to the Milton community, he and Toby never felt alone.
People often forget what it means to depend on a service dog. It is not about weakness. It is about connection. Trust. Letting something walk beside you when you can’t walk alone. Luty knew that. Toby showed it.
