Our Five Ring Circus: Mr. Toad

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Mr. Toad

Dylan loves animals. Any animal. He's not afraid to touch snakes, bugs, spiders, worms, frogs, fish...all the things that make me shudder or gag. I always knew the day would come when my little Jack Hanna would find a wild creature and want to keep it.

Papa found a baby toad in his yard, and saved it to show Dylan. Dylan fell in love at first sight, and insisted on keeping it. He promptly declared that Mr. Toad was his best friend. He kept Mr. Toad safe in his small hand, stopping every so often to give him a smooch. Mr. Toad even wanted to give me a smooch. *shudder*
Mr. Toad slept the night in a container beside Dylan's bed. Dylan woke up, and insisted on going outside to find bugs to feed his best friend. Ewwww! He even sat in the empty bath tub with Mr. Toad, so Mr. Toad could exercise.

I knew that getting rid of Mr. Toad would break Dylan's heart, but that Mr. Toad would be happier living a life outside.

I tried everything. I told Dylan that Mr. Toad needed to find his mommy. Dylan replied, "Here she is!"
Nice try, buddy! ;)

Dylan spent the day outside, playing with his best friend.
I have to admit, the cute little guy was really growing on me, and I entertained the possibility of keeping him.
But I knew he would be happier in the wild. I tried to convince Dylan all day to let him go. Every time I mentioned it, Dylan broke into tears, and it broke my heart. When Grant came home, he immediately convinced Dylan to let him go.

Dylan went outside, with Mr. Toad clutched in his fist. He gave Mr. Toad a smooch, and put him under a pile of logs. "Goodbye, Mr. Toad. I love you." He turned, and went into the house.

He had a moment shortly after, when his lower lip jutted out and quivered, and he said, "I miss my buddy. I'll never have a froggy again."

Grant and I promised we'd discuss getting him his own pet, to keep in his room. Perhaps a guinea pig. Perhaps.

Dylan wants me to print out a picture, to keep next to his bed, so he can remember his buddy. (Really, is your hurt breaking yet?!?!?)

Should have just kept the darn toad.


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8 comments:

  1. That is the cutest thing ever!! I don't know what I will do when my boy wants a pet. I am dead set against anything livining in a smelly cage in my house. :o)

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  2. Awwwwwwww. Poor boy didn't get to keep his toad... :( Ok, but seriously... Zack wouldn't get to keep one either. Toads pee. Like on stuff. Ew.

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  3. ironically the last time we were up that way we acquired a pet toad for a day as well. it must be the season for them or something because they are everywhere up there. we named ours jack... i didn't take a pic though i kept going to get the camera but didn't. they are hoping he will still be there in the garden when we go back again

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  4. Awww, how sweet...love the pics too!

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  5. Awww...that is SO sweet. What adorable pics. He is just the cutest thing! And those blue eyes...my heart is melting. :)

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  6. That is so cute! We do the EXACT same thing at our house..with turtles. Get used to it. I think it is a boy thing.
    Make sure to come over and see what we are up to on my blog! I'd love to see your children participate!

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  7. That just made me cry.... I'm still crying... Wow... That is unbelievably cute.

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  8. So cute! Such fun pictures to capture this stage too.

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