12/11/2025
💙 Appreciation Post 💙
This is a necessarily long appreciation post for my dear friend and rescue partner, Tobie Watford Smith.
There is no one I can think of that deserves the title of “Unsung Hero” quite like Tobie. This wonderful human being is constantly helping in the background with little to no recognition, and she would never ask for any either.
Tobie and I met while she was helping chase down and capture Nessie, a disabled rescue pup in New Augusta. While working together there, we noticed a large cat colony in need as well. After getting Nessie home and safe, the two of us silly ladies went out there with nets and a prayer, neither of us being familiar with how to catch feral cats. We quickly realized trapping was the safer way, after I got a little torn up by a very spicy one-eyed kitten.
After that, we just clicked. Tobie is one of the fiercest warriors for any and every animal I’ve ever met. If there’s anyone that truly will fight for the underdogs and the unwanted, it’s Tobie. When I started this rescue, I did so knowing that I wanted Tobie on my side, and she was more than happy to join in. It was just the two of us for a long time, doing the best we can. I took the cats into foster, and Tobie made sure they (and I) had whatever was needed. With a whole gaggle of rescue dogs that nobody else would help at home, she doesn’t have a safe place for cats, but she made sure to support me and our rescue kitties in whatever way she could.
That didn’t change one bit when I took over the shelter. She always showed up when she could, despite having an insanely busy work schedule and so many of her own to take care of. When it got hot, and we realized there was no AC in the kennels, Tobie spent her own money to buy one so we could at least try to keep them cool. If those animals had any kind of need we couldn’t meet, she did her best to help us provide it for them. She loved every single one of them she met like they were her own.
When I left the shelter, and I had surgery on my ankle, Tobie still showed up for me. To this day, she is always there if I need her. When I stopped that day to pick up Jack and Jill, having no idea what I would do with them, I called her first. I asked her if she would help me figure it out, and of course, she said yes. She is constantly doing for our animals and any animals in need that she can help. Be it food, straw, blankets, dog houses, flea and tick medicine, she will do whatever she can to make sure a dog is comfortable and loved as much as possible.
There are many people that do rescue and revel in the praise and recognition that it brings them. Tobie isn’t that person. She is one of the most genuine, generous, and consistent people I’ve ever met. She doesn’t ask for anything in return, yet she is always there to help when people need her. There isn’t a perfect way for me to ever repay her, but as long as she knows that me and the animals appreciate and love her, I hope that’s enough!
We love you, Tobie! Lucky’s wouldn't be here without you, and every life we have saved in the last few years is, in part, thanks to you. The rescue (and me) are so incredibly lucky to have you on our side! 😊
