“Someone just needed to give him a chance.”

This is Vanessa Marie Rose and her best pal Toby. They’ve both been through a lot, but found each other at just the right time.

This is Vanessa Marie Rose and her best pal Toby. They've both been through a lot, but found each other at just the right time.

Vanessa Marie Rose

Toby is a rescue from a high-kill shelter in Ohio. He spent more than six years trapped in a cage, let out only for breeding or a rare run.

It left him with stunted growth, back problems, and other health issues. He also suffers from anxiety after years of mistreatment.

He endured a physically abusive owner, and another who didn't think he was a good enough pet, until he finally made his way to Vanessa.

Vanessa Marie Rose

"He ended up in this rescue called Snookie’s Society where I found him," Vanessa told BuzzFeed Canada. "And just had to have him."

Vanessa got him just as she was dealing with her own mental health issues, so they really saved each other.

“He kind of rescued me more than I rescued him,” she said. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

Vanessa Marie Rose

So to celebrate their bond, Vanessa got a tattoo to match the one a previous owner put on Toby's ear.

“This poor guy was abused and then he was marked. For me, I felt like it was something that I wanted to do in solidarity,” said Vanessa.

“He’s going to be my little buddy forever no matter what happens.”

Vanessa Marie Rose

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