04/30/2026
Tobias Eldridge Hankle Jones Ulmer
April ?? 2011 - April 29 2026
On Sunday, we celebrated Tobias’s (estimated) 15th birthday. On Tuesday we said goodbye. It was the most gut wrenching, difficult, heartbreaking decision I’ve ever made in my life. I wasn’t ready. I wanted more time. I don’t think that he was mentally ready, but his body was. He didn’t want to leave me, but he couldn’t stay.
Tobias was the dog that started it all. It’s because of him that I started Tender Loving Crested Rescue. It’s because of him that we have saved over 400 Chinese Cresteds and many other breeds. It’s because of him that I’ve met some amazing people and traveled to places I never would’ve been to. It’s because of him that families were made whole, friendships were formed, lives were changed. He deserves all of the credit!
My name might be on the legal paperwork as the founder of this rescue but Tobias is the real founder. Trust me if he could talk and write he would have been directing things. Instead he greeted every new foster sibling with kindness and a warm spot to rest and recharge. Tobias was the best dog sibling, mentor and friend. He taught new fosters the ropes. He taught people about the breed. He loved attention and he got it anywhere he went. If he didn’t think he was getting enough attention he told you about it. Tobias was not shy or timid. He was bold and strong. And he taught me to be bold and strong. He gave me the courage to do things I never considered doing. He taught me what true unconditional love is. He literally changed my life.
In his final days all he wanted to do was lay in my arms or on my chest. And I let him. I gave up many nights of restful sleep so that he could sleep peacefully and I’d give him 10,000 more restless nights if I could. Instead I said goodbye to him. I’m hurting now but he is no longer in pain. I’m lucky to have experienced such a profound and extraordinary bond between a human and a dog. I’m honored to have been his mom. I’m a better person because of his existence.
Thank you to whatever divine power that put Tobias in my path. Thank you to the people that helped me get Tobias out of the shelter and get him healed up 13 years ago. Thank you to my dog Tucker who fell in love with Tobias before I did. Thank you to my son who loved Tobias as much as I did even if he didn’t always love my rescue work. And thank you to everyone that has trusted me to help save this breed that I love.
A special thank you goes to Dr. B and staff for always being available to help me and Tobias. I appreciate the long hours, the answers to my endless questions, and the love that you gave Tobias. Thank you for not giving up on him thereby giving me a few more months with him. Jess, thanks for sitting on the floor and crying with me as we loved on him one last time.
Goodbye my sweet boy. You gave me more than I could have ever wanted out of life.
A few of his favorite things:
- A nap in the sun
- A long quiet car ride where he got his best naps in
- Sleeping under the covers but with his head exposed
- Practicing obedience training with Moo Moo. When she got a treat for doing a command, he got one for doing nothing. He loved “school”
- Visiting the vet office. Yes, you read that correctly. He loved going to the vet and seeing his friends.
- Meeting people at the Houston dog show and other events
- Food of any kind but especially jelly beans and his last treat of M&Ms
- Visits from Austin even if he bit your beard and wasn’t sorry about it
- Snuggle time with mom
If your life was changed because of Tobias please tell me about it. If you adopted a dog from us, if you met Tobias, if you learned about the breed or rescue, maybe you simply stumbled across our page and had a laugh at a dog (because I get it, not everyone loves the look of a hairless dog), I’d love to read about it.
