ANNIE FINALE: TOBY ROCKS!!!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TOBY's MOM here...

What an amazing adventure 'ANNIE' has been!

It was Toby's final performance last night - the 'Gala' performance, held at the UJ Theatre in Johannesburg.

This incredible dog was pretty tired after a very demanding week. Had there been another performance today, we would probably have pulled him. After a gruelling 15 hour technical rehearsal earlier in the week and then participating in 5 performances in 4 days, Toby was exhausted. Despite his fatigue, he pulled off this final Gala performance without a hitch.

 

It was a display of committed canine talent!





The highlight for both Shannon and me was his 'send-away', all by himself, onto a dimly lit stage, and an audience whose collectively held breath dissolved into a loud whisper of... "Aaaaw.". He did a twirl in the middle of the stage, almost on his hind legs, followed by a loud bark, to delighted audience applause. His little 'improv' fitted in perfectly with the alley scene.

Toby's final stage bow, once again, was a 'leaping bow'. Fantastic!

Shannon and I were also called onto stage with all the other adult teachers - to receive a beautiful bouquet of roses. Toby took another bow. Later we took him to the foyer to meet his 'fans' and for the children to 'shake his paw'. Meeting people always invigorates him - he simply LOVES people!

What a star this beautiful dog of mine is! I am astounded at what this

(only TEN-MONTH-old) Golden pup, has been been able to accomplish in his short life.

Sadly"Annie" is now over - and will have to put in our 'memory' box.

It's Toby's time now, to simply be a dog. 

Time to romp and play with his special 'Aunt Tam' - his 11yr old matriach. 

Theirs was a joyful and welcome reunion late last night.

OUR SPECIAL THANKS:

Congratulations to the beautiful cast of young people who responded to Toby so affectionately and so respectfully. A special thank you to TINA KRUGER, (our amazing and mindful Director) :  Congratulations on an awesome production!  

Thank you to all the teachers of Hoerskool Randburg involved in this production, for allowing us to be part of your adventure and for your hospitality. 

Thank you to the talented young cast members, who took the time to get to know Toby.  Thank you, too, to the backstage and theatre helpers.  (Especially the young girls who guarded Toby's tail in the wings, and who diligently broke up his treats into tiny portions.  These little gestures were so important - thank you!).  Thank you to SANTI VAN DEN BERG (Our producer) for the hours of painstaking organising and for keeping such a level head under immense pressure.  To the backdrop designers and prop makers and everyone involved in this production...

...a special "Woof" of thanks, from Toby!!!

We are going to miss your companionship immensely.

Finally, and probably most importantly,

THANK YOU SHANNON!!!

Our knowledgable, patient, professional and talented canine instructor from

McKAYNINE TRAINING CENTRE

for giving Toby and me the opportunity of being part of this adventure, and for sticking with us during your difficult moments.  You are amazing and we so appreciate you!

But for now....

we are going to be taking our well-earned rest.

With lotsaluv and lotsalicks

TOBY AND HIS 'MOM' IN SOUTH AFRICA