Ann Hoang didn’t anticipate their first dog-fostering experience would have such a profound impact, especially on her husband. The Hoangs wanted to expand their pack of dogs at the moment, but they already had Charlie, their first dog, to care for.
The family was unsure about their ability to handle the added burden of another dog. They made the decision to try fostering rather than adopting.
The Hoangs reasoned that if they were capable of caring for a dog in foster care, they could adopt a rescue animal. The Hoangs and Toby met in this manner.
Toby is a South Korean rescue dog who was sent to a safe house in the United States. “Band For Animal” a non-profit organization that works to save dogs from shelters, rescued him from there.
Fortunately, the Hoangs were able to take care of Toby right away. Toby first feared and was wary of his new surroundings. Toby gradually became comfortable thanks to his foster family’s affection and support. He and Mr. Hoang connected right away when they were seated next to one another on the first evening. After that evening, Toby started to come into his own. Charlie even grew to adore him.
The family became inseparable. In just a week, Toby made everyone fall in love with him. It broke Ann Hoang’s heart to think about how they all would be so sad if Toby got adopted.
“We had two families who wanted to schedule a meeting with Toby, and when that happened, I just realized how crushed my husband would be without him.” Ann Hoang told the Dodo.
“It had only been one week, but my husband and Toby were inseparable. My husband is such a giving person, always putting others before himself. He’s never really asked for anything or wanted anything badly.” Hoang continued.
Ann decided to contact the shelter with the intentions to officially adopt Toby. Since adopting a dog requires a home inspection, she planned with the staff to surprise her husband.
A staff member handed the card to Mr. Hoang. As soon as he opened it, he cried so hard that everyone in the room cried, too!
“I thought he would be happy but never in a million years did I think he would cry so much.” Ann Hoang said, “I have never seen him react this way to anything before! He is sensitive, but this was more than I’ve ever seen.”
Ann Hoang and her husband decided to become foster parents because they wanted to find out if they could handle another dog. And so, they met Toby.
Toby was rescued from South Korea and flown to the U.S. Fortunately, he was immediately placed into a foster home with the Hoangs.
At first, Toby was extremely timid and a bit scared, but little by little, he got used to his surroundings. On his first night, he sat beside Mr. Hoang, and they immediately had a connection.
A week later, Toby was so comfortable with the family that you wouldn’t be able to tell that he was a foster dog. Here he is cuddling with Charlie.
All of them came to love Toby, especially Mr. Hoang. Eventually, Ann Hoang realized that they would be heartbroken if Toby were to leave their family. She decided to contact the rescue shelter and officially adopt Toby. 
With the shelter’s staff, Ann Hoang came up with a plan to surprise her husband. He was shocked and cried out of happiness.
The staff that made the home inspection handed him a card telling him the good news, and he couldn’t believe it at first.
Ann made a plan with the rescue staff who pretended to be Toby’s potential adopter. Ann’s husband was so happy that he hugged Toby while he was in tears.
Even Ann and the rescue staff became emotional, too.
“Oh my goodness, I thought he would be happy but never in a million years did I think he would cry so much.” Ann told the Dodo.
“I have never seen him react this way to anything before! He is sensitive, but this was more than I’ve ever seen.” she added.
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