Early December, we were treated to a very special visit at Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue by Linda Brent and her husband of Blue Toby Sustainable Pet Products. It felt just like Santa stopping by with a sleigh full of goodies! The pups were overjoyed, and it was a truly magical day getting to meet the wonderful couple.
We are also incredibly grateful to Linda Brent, founder, for donating more than 30 warm, cozy blankets to our rescue pups. These blankets provide comfort, warmth and a sense of security to our senior and special needs dogs, many of whom have faced illness, neglect or trauma. Every blanket helps our dogs feel safe and loved while they wait for their forever homes — your generosity truly makes a difference!
Blue Toby is a Chapel Hill-based company dedicated to creating eco-friendly, sustainable pet products that are good for pets and kind to the planet. Giving back is a core part of their mission, and through donations like this, they support pets who need extra care and love. Thank you, Linda and the Blue Toby team, for recognizing the dignity and value of every senior and medically fragile dog in our care — your kindness warms more than just paws!
Check out BlueToby’s press release below:
Blue Toby Pet Products Warms Hearts and Paws with Blanket Donation to Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue
MIDDLESEX, NC — Blue Toby Sustainable Pet Products, a Chapel Hill company dedicated to eco-friendly pet solutions, is proud to announce a donation of over 30 warm blankets to Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue.
Rainbow Bridge saves the dogs most in need of care, and is a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable animals in our community. With an unwavering commitment to dogs in need, the organization specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating older, ill and special needs dogs that are often overlooked in traditional shelter settings. Their dedicated team provides essential medical care, hospice support and a loving environment, ensuring that every dog experiences dignity and comfort, regardless of their age or health status. Their success lies in their ability to see the value in every life, successfully placing many “unadoptable” seniors into loving forever homes.
Terri Atkinson began rescuing dogs in 2011, and along with her husband David has saved hundreds of dogs with serious needs. They have cared for dogs with missing eyes, ears and teeth; or those with diseases, injuries or emotional problems. Recognizing that many seriously ill dogs were overlooked by traditional rescue groups, she organized Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue as a nonprofit in 2021. The organization is committed to giving dogs with chronic illness, terminal diagnoses or old age the dignity, comfort and love they deserve.
“Providing comfort is at the very heart of what we do, and these blankets from Blue Toby mean more than most people realize,” said Atkinson, founder of Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue. “Many of our dogs come to us fragile, frightened or in pain. Something as simple as a soft, warm blanket can help them feel safe — often for the first time in a long while. We are deeply grateful to Blue Toby for this generous gift and for recognizing the dignity and love that every senior and medically fragile dog deserves.”
Special dogs will warm your heart
While all dogs at Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue are special, there are two special pups who captured the affection of the rescue team. Best friends Bucky and Gizmo embody the heart of the rescue’s mission. Bucky, an 11-year-old deaf Cocker Spaniel, and his best friend Gizmo, an 11–12-year-old Chihuahua, came to the rescue after their 90-year-old owner passed away — and with no family willing to take them in.
The pair narrowly avoided being surrendered to a shelter for euthanasia before Rainbow Bridge stepped in. Despite being toothless, Bucky still delights in every meal, while Gizmo offers him steady companionship and reassurance. Together, these inseparable seniors remind us why every act of kindness, including gifts like Blue Toby’s blankets, truly matters.
Blue Toby focuses on giving back
For Blue Toby, success is measured not just by products sold, but by the positive impact made for animals in need. A core pillar of the Blue Toby mission is “giving back,” with a specific focus on supporting pets who need extra help. By providing blankets to local nonprofit rescues, Blue Toby aims to provide physical warmth and a sense of security to the dogs currently under the care of Rainbow Bridge.
“At Blue Toby, our deep love for dogs is the driving force behind everything we create,” said Linda Brent, PhD, Founder of Blue Toby. “I have such immense admiration for the difficult but beautiful work being done at Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue. They provide dignity and love to dogs who need it most. It is an honor to support their mission and to know that these blankets will provide comfort to these deserving dogs while they recover and wait for forever homes.”
About Blue Toby Sustainable Pet Products
Blue Toby is dedicated to creating high-quality, sustainable pet products that are kind to the earth and great for pets and their caregivers. Located outside Chapel Hill and founded by Linda Brent, PhD, the company combines scientific insight with a passion for animal welfare to create products that pet owners can feel good about. To learn more about Blue Toby’s sustainable mission and products, visit www.bluetoby.com