Poor Dog Passed Away After His Owners Spent All Their Savings And Vets Have Run Out Of Choices To Treat Him

As he bravely battled a mystery illness he picked up on a walk in Belfast, he captured the hearts of the country. After eight days in intensive care, Toby the Dachshund died in his family’s arms. He’d only been alive for a year and a half.

“Toby passed away today at 11.30am,” his owner, Niamh Gilligan, told DogsLive. He passed in my arms, cuddled up against my neck, with Chris giving him gentle head scratches and his entire family surrounding him.

“He was in no pain and passed peacefully.” I know a lot of people have been worried about Toby since they first heard about him, and while this is a very sad update, we just wanted to let everyone know and express our gratitude for their support, thoughts, and prayers.

“Toby fought so hard, and the vets did everything they could, but it was just too much for him.” Because he was such a small and young dog, this terrible disease was too much for him to bear. He’d be here if he’d had the willpower, if he’d had the bravery. When he cuddled into me and became comfortable, I knew it was time for him to leave, and we had to let him. We’d already asked so much of him that we couldn’t think of anything else to ask. We’re heartbroken, to put it bluntly.”

He was given a plasma transfusion, March 29, in a last-ditch effort to give his body a chance to rest and recover, which owner Chris Greenlee described as a “last roll of the dice.”

The couple awaited news with great anticipation, but Toby’s life was cut short just 24 hours later, leaving his family in shock and heartbreak, as well as a nearly $10,000 vet bill.

“Whatever happens, we will fight as long as he can,” Chris had previously stated. We’ll be able to find up with the cash. Money can be replaced or re-earned. Toby, our boy, is unable to.”

Chris and Niamh put their savings toward buying a house on hold in order to cover as much of the medical costs as possible, and they set up a fundraising page in case they needed additional help.

“We know that when we get dogs, one day we’ll have to say our goodbyes,” Chris explained. For some, that day is far away, with many happy memories, cuddles, and a long happy life ahead of them. That time has unfortunately come far too soon for us.

“Toby was the most important person in our lives.” He provided us with the most wonderful nine months anyone could wish for. Every morning, he would wake us up with a barrage of kisses that made us gasp for air.

I never imagined I’d be able to love someone or something as much as Toby. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to get over his death. There’s nothing worse than holding the thing you love about and having to say goodbye, but we couldn’t keep him suffering.”

Toby was diagnosed with Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea Syndrome and pancreatitis caused by its symptoms on March 22, but veterinarians are still unsure of the disease’s origins, where or how it is detected, or whether there is a cure.