News

LANSING, Mich. - The halls of the Michigan Legislature are a little quieter today as leaders and decision makers honor the life of Toby Spade (D-Adrian), Michigan's first and only legislative leader dog.  The constant companion of former state representative Doug Spade (D-Adrian) became a fixture in Lansing, as he was throughout Lenawee County, witnessing history first hand and rubbing shoulders with some of Michigan's most influential and powerful individuals.  Representative Toby, as he was frequently called during his legislative tenure, passed away Sunday in his home town of Adrian at the age of twelve.

"Toby started with me in October of 1997, just months before we began the 1998 campaign, and just last week, he was with me in committee, listening to testimony," Rep. Doug Spade said.  "It just strikes me how fitting it was that Toby was there at the end just like he was at the beginning.  I have always thought that Toby was a natural at his job.  He was so personable, so well socialized, so good with everyone he met that I couldn't have been luckier in getting him.  He was a tremendous asset and as much a member of my staff as anyone.  In many respects, he was treated as much like a legislator as any of the members.  Both caucuses tried to claim him.  They called him Representative Toby.  People used to say that they really appreciated being able to confide in him knowing that he would not talk to the press.  If he knew or had an idea of how popular and, in some respects, how famous he was, he never let on.  He was happy to be where he was and just loved everyone."

Toby began his political career with Doug Spade during his 1998 bid for the fifty-seventh district House seat.  After a grueling campaign, the pair made it to Lansing where Doug became Michigan's second blind state representative and Toby, Michigan's first legislative leader dog.  Doug's brother, State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton), remembers Toby for his incredible personality.

"Doug has worked with three extraordinary dogs in the past twenty-nine years," Rep. Dudley Spade remembered.  "Each had their own personality.  Eric, Buck, and Toby were all great dogs, each of equal excellence and I remember each for different qualities.  For Toby, though, his personality sticks with me the most.  Always full of fun and enjoyably mischievous, we will miss his light-heartedness.  This is an extremely difficult time for Doug and for all of us who care about him and loved Toby.  The enormity of losing someone one whom you have relied so much and who has been your companion twenty-four hours a day for over ten years is difficult to put into words.  He is and will continue to be missed."

Toby came honestly by his love for people and children in particular.  A teacher at Warren Woods Public Schools originally brought a young Toby to school where he became something of a school project.  The students, as a regular part of their curriculum, were responsible in turn for taking care of him and walking him during the day.  Staff members including the Superintendent and even some of the school board members took turns taking him home for the weekend.  Despite some misadventures, including a puppy-hood bout of parvo and an incident where he got loose from a student, ran all the way through the school, and got into a chocolate birthday cake, Toby survived and entered leader dog training.  He had just entered the Spanish program and was slated to go to either Spain or Mexico when the school learned that Doug needed a new dog.  Fortunately for Doug, one of the trainers realized that the match between them was too good to pass up.  It was not until he made it to Lansing and an article about him was published in a Leader Dogs for the Blind newsletter that the students at the school learned about his distinguished position and Representative Doug Spade learned of Toby's past.  He returned to Warren Woods in 1999 where Rep. Spade spoke at the high school graduation ceremony, addressing many of the students who had had a hand in raising Toby.

Most lawmakers who were in Lansing during Toby's six year legislative tenure have a story about him.  Whether they brought him treats on the House floor, scratched his ears on the sly despite the fact that he was working, or took him for a walk during one of the many late night sessions or busy days when even a patient person would need a break, he touched the lives of every person who touched his and no one who met him could forget the dog with a heart of gold and a seemingly bottomless stomach.

Toby Spade was twelve years old at the time of his death and had been with Representative Doug Spade for nearly ten and a half of those years.  He was preceded in death by Eric and Buck who, together with Toby, served Rep. Spade and his family faithfully for a combined twenty-nine years.  He is survived by Doug and JoAnn Spade and the innumerable friends and loved ones in whose memory he continues to live.