Toby’s guide to finding Joy, one walk at a time

Toby’s guide to finding Joy, one walk at a time Meet Toby 🐾 Not a life coach or guru—unless chasing squirrels counts. He lives fully, loves hard, & proudly carries sticks like trophies.
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This page shares his funny, simple, surprisingly deep life lessons… usually with a little drool.

Toby says, "If you watch Jaws backwards, it's a heartwarming story about a shark who gives arms and legs to people who n...
06/24/2026

Toby says, "If you watch Jaws backwards, it's a heartwarming story about a shark who gives arms and legs to people who need them"

Toby’s Tale 🐾Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there — especially the ones who wake up early, throw the ball one mo...
06/21/2026

Toby’s Tale 🐾

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there — especially the ones who wake up early, throw the ball one more time, sneak us extra treats when no one’s looking, and always make room for us by their side.

And to my human… thanks for the walks, the adventures, the belly rubs, and for always being the one holding the leash when life gets busy.

Love,
Toby 🐾

🐾 Toby's Lessons on the Leash 🐾This morning's harbor walk was a little different.My human slept in today (6am) so we mis...
06/17/2026

🐾 Toby's Lessons on the Leash 🐾

This morning's harbor walk was a little different.
My human slept in today (6am) so we missed the sunrise but the good news is , I found myself walking alongside my friend Kalua. No rushing. No pulling on the leash. Just two dogs enjoying the cool morning air and the simple joy of being together.
Humans spend a lot of time talking about friendships, but dogs have a way of keeping it simple. We don't care about yesterday's disagreements, tomorrow's worries, or what anyone thinks of us. We show up, wag our tails, and enjoy the moment we're given.

As Kalua and I wandered past the boats and listened to the gentle sounds of the harbor waking up, it reminded me that some of life's best conversations don't require words at all.

Sometimes all you need is a good friend, a quiet path, and a sunrise to remind you that you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

So if your mind feels busy today, find a friend, take a walk, and leave your worries behind for a little while.
Trust me... the harbor has a way of putting things into perspective.
— Toby 🐾

Today’s lesson on a Leash: The Harbor CureSometimes, my human and I can’t sleep.The house is quiet. The clock keeps tick...
06/14/2026

Today’s lesson on a Leash: The Harbor Cure

Sometimes, my human and I can’t sleep.

The house is quiet. The clock keeps ticking. The mind keeps barking.

Humans call it “overthinking.” We dogs don’t really understand that. For instance, If a squirrel isn’t in front of us right now, we usually don’t spend much time worrying about it.

But on some nights, I can tell my human’s mind is racing. Worries about tomorrow. Thoughts about yesterday. Questions without answers.

That’s when I do what any good dog would do…..

I walk over, give a gentle nudge with my nose, and remind him of something important:

“The harbor is still there.”

So before the sun rises, we grab the leash and head out into the darkness.

The streets are empty. The boats rock quietly in their slips. The water whispers against the docks. The only sounds are of our footsteps and the distant cries of a gull waking up for the day.

Something magical happens out there.

The problems don’t disappear.

The questions aren’t all answered.

But they somehow get smaller.

With every step, the mind gets a little quieter. The shoulders relax. Our breathing slows. The world feels less complicated.

By the time the first hint of orange appears over the horizon, we’ve remembered something easy to forget:

Not every problem needs to be solved at 3 a.m.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is put on a leash, take a walk, and let the harbor carry some of the weight.

That’s today’s lesson on the leash.

When your mind won’t stop racing, don’t sit there and run with it.

Go for a walk.

The answers may not be waiting for you.

But peace usually is.

– Toby 🐾

🐾

Toby’s Lesson on the Leash: The Early Morning ClubThis morning, while the world was still waking up, three of my dog fri...
06/12/2026

Toby’s Lesson on the Leash: The Early Morning Club

This morning, while the world was still waking up, three of my dog friends and I gathered at the harbor. Our humans carried cups of coffee, swapping stories and laughs while we chased, sniffed, wrestled, and reminded each other how much fun friendship can be.

The sun was just starting to climb, and everyone knew the same thing: if you want to enjoy summer, you have to get out before the heat takes over. We dogs don’t need weather apps to tell us that.

As I watched my friends run across the grass and wrestle each other, I realized something…..Happiness doesn’t always come from big adventures or expensive plans. Sometimes it’s as simple as a cool morning breeze, a cup of coffee with friends, and a few wagging tails racing through the harbor.

Too often, humans wait for the perfect time to enjoy life. But the perfect time is usually right now—before the day gets too busy, before the temperatures rise, before

A Lesson on the Leash from TobyThis morning, as I walked beside my human, I noticed him stop for a moment of reflection....
06/06/2026

A Lesson on the Leash from Toby

This morning, as I walked beside my human, I noticed him stop for a moment of reflection.

You humans often talk about freedom as if it’s something that simply exists. Like the sunrise, the ocean breeze, or the path beneath our paws. But today, I learned that some of the most important things in life were paid for by people who never got the chance to enjoy them themselves.

Many were just kids. They never got to grow old. Never got to build a life, raise a family, or chase their dreams. Yet they stepped forward anyway, knowing the risks, because they believed something bigger than themselves was worth protecting.

Dogs understand loyalty. We understand standing by those we love. What amazes me is that these young men showed that same loyalty to people they would never meet and future generations they would never know.

As we walked, I realized something: gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It’s remembering. It’s honoring sacrifice by living with purpose and appreciating the freedoms that others gave everything to preserve.

Today, while I chase squirrels and enjoyed the simple gift of another beautiful day, I was reminded that some gifts come at a price paid by others.

Never forget those who never came home.

— Toby 🐾

This morning on our walk, I noticed Toby teaching me yet another lesson.As we walked along the harbor, Toby had plenty o...
06/04/2026

This morning on our walk, I noticed Toby teaching me yet another lesson.

As we walked along the harbor, Toby had plenty of choices. He could focus on every squirrel that darted across his path, every strange noise in the distance, or every dog that barked from behind a fence. When he did, the leash got tight, his energy became restless, and the walk felt like one obstacle after another.

But when he settled into the moment—nose to the breeze, paws on the path, enjoying the sights and smells around him—the walk became something entirely different. The same route, the same morning, yet a completely different experience.

It reminded me that what we focus on becomes our reality.

If we focus on problems, disappointments, and what isn't going our way, life can feel heavy and overwhelming. But when we focus on possibilities, growth, gratitude, and the good that still exists around us, life begins to open in unexpected ways.

The path doesn't always change. Sometimes it's our focus that changes everything.

Toby may have been chasing scents today, but somehow he still managed to lead me to that lesson.

YOUR GREATESTSKILL ISN'T ON YOUR RESUME.IT'S IN HOW YOU SHOW UP EVERY DAY.
06/03/2026

YOUR GREATEST
SKILL ISN'T ON YOUR RESUME.
IT'S IN HOW YOU SHOW UP EVERY DAY.

Tonight’s walk with Toby around the harbor in Atlantic Highlands turned into one of those simple moments that sticks wit...
06/01/2026

Tonight’s walk with Toby around the harbor in Atlantic Highlands turned into one of those simple moments that sticks with you longer than expected.

We ran into a brief conversation along the way, and it became clear how often we listen just long enough to respond instead of actually listening to understand. You can feel the difference immediately—one closes things off, the other opens them up.

It’s easy to think communication is about having the right reply ready, but tonight was a reminder that real connection comes when you slow down enough to actually take in what someone is saying, not just wait for your turn to talk.

Funny how a quiet walk by the water with a dog can end up teaching something that applies everywhere—home, work, and life in general.

Toby seemed unconcerned either way… but I think he had the right idea just watching the water and staying present.

Friday nights in the harbor hit different.Toby and I took our usual walk as the sun melted into the bay, painting the wa...
05/16/2026

Friday nights in the harbor hit different.

Toby and I took our usual walk as the sun melted into the bay, painting the water gold and orange. The ferry horn sounded, commuters poured onto the docks, and within minutes the quiet streets came alive. Couples headed to dinner, friends gathered outside the restaurants, and servers moved quickly between crowded tables as the town welcomed the weekend.

Out on the water, boaters cruised toward the marina, chasing the last light of the day and finally getting to enjoy the warmer weather again. You could hear music drifting across the docks, lines clanging against masts, and laughter carrying over the harbor as everyone tried to squeeze a little more out of the sunset.

Toby just sat for a moment watching it all — the ferries, the boats, the people, the energy of a town coming alive after a long week.

It reminded me of something:Life feels lighter when people have something to look forward to. A boat ride at sunset. Dinner with friends. A walk by the water. Time spent with the people — and dogs — who make you feel grounded.

Sometimes happiness isn’t found in the big milestones.Sometimes it’s simply a Friday night in the harbor, warm air rolling in off the bay, and the feeling that for a little while… everyone seems exactly where they’re supposed to be.

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First Avenue
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
07716

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