Toast the Dog has passed away, and Instagram will never be the same

P. Claire Dodson
Updated
Toast the Dog has passed away, and Instagram will never be the same
Toast the Dog has passed away, and Instagram will never be the same

As everyone knows, the best thing about Instagram is dogs. Dogs with their own accounts, dogs owned by celebrities, dogs that belong to strangers — you name a dog, we’ll follow them. Instagram is an equal-opportunity dog free-for-all. But sadly, one of the very first truly “famous” Instagram dogs has passed. Toast the Dog died, and we are heartbroken. She was a very good girl.

The sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel held a special place in our hearts. Toast was the ultimate canine supermodel. Once, she had a dog wedding (!) that was honestly better than most human weddings we’ve attended. She was always up to something cute, and it was always for a good cause. Even though Toast the Dog died, she leaves behind a legacy that began when she was rescued from a puppy mill.

Toast’s owner, fashion publicist and founder of Megababe Katie Sturino, adopted Toast in 2011. The pup showed clear signs of neglect, but Sturino nursed her back to health and started an Instagram account called @ToastMeetsWorld. The rest was history. As of this writing, Toast has more than 378,000 followers. Her Insta pics showed off her fabulous life, including trips to the beach, at-home fashion shows, and “walks” around New York City.

But what made Toast’s posts so lovable was her now-famous tongue.

Her tongue was always hanging outside of her mouth, giving her a cute, silly appearance. But it hung like that because her rotten teeth were removed when she was rescued.

Saturday Morning #Swalking PS lots of cutie pups for adoption from @animalhaven on my IG Stories!

A post shared by

TOAST MEETS WORLD

(@toastmeetsworld) on Oct 21, 2017 at 6:15am PDT

Sturino posted a beautiful eulogy for Toast on Instagram.

Heaven has a new star tonight. We’re heartbroken to share the news that Toast has passed. This puppymill rescue had an exceptional life. She wrote a book, had a televised wedding, appears on billboards across the country promoting rescue and modeled for an international eyewear campaign. But above all, she was a best friend, a world champion little spoon...but she was far from being an angel. Toast was often a little devil. Grabbing rolls of toilet paper off and dragging them into the living room for a snack. Peeing whenever/wherever she wanted to. Pretending not to be able to jump on the couch because she just wanted a ride. And snoring like a 400lb trucker. In the next few weeks we will be doing tributes for her. If Toast has inspired you or taught you about rescue please consider donating to the link in the bio. 100% off the donations will go to her three favorite charities. If you would like to show your love for Toast and the tongue that will never be forgotten, please post a photo using #ToastMeetsHeaven so we can see. Toast loved meeting fans at meet ups and on the streets. She knew she was loved and adored by people around the globe and we are so grateful to have known her. Our hearts will eventually heal knowing that she will live on forever in people’s hearts her account will live on as a place to watch her siblings @muppetsrevenge and @underpantsthedog as well as to support rescue efforts near and dear to Toast’s heart #toastmeetsheaven

A post shared by

TOAST MEETS WORLD

(@toastmeetsworld) on Dec 15, 2017 at 11:39am PST

Sturino has not given a reason for Toast’s death yet, but there’s been an outpouring of support already. Toast has a new hashtag, #ToastMeetsHeaven, to help raise awareness of the evils of puppy mills. Struino is donating 100% of the money raised to charities that support rescue efforts.

@toastmeetsworld changed my life. Not in a “Who Rescued Who Way”, but in a real life altering way. I started Toast’s account because she was literally the cutest dog I’d ever seen, but soon I realized she was destined for fame. As a shy person, she provided me a way to showcase my creativity without putting myself on display. I was able to help dogs and live out my crazy dog fantasies. But when Toast was invited to do a shoot with the @manrepeller I met Amelia Diamond. And she asked to do a style profile on me. That story was the reason I launched the12ishstyle and then eventually @megababe Toast was not just a pet to me, she was an inspiration. I found myself through that journey and I have never felt more at peace with myself. I’m devastated but I am so grateful for this toothless angel. Please consider donating in the link in the bio to Toasts favorite charities. #toastmeetsheaven

A post shared by Katie Sturino (@the12ishstyle) on Dec 15, 2017 at 11:42am PST

Toast leaves behind two doggy siblings, Muppet and Underpants, who are also puppy mill rescues.

For Christmas this year, I hope these two learn how to pose properly #amateurhour

A post shared by

TOAST MEETS WORLD

(@toastmeetsworld) on Dec 1, 2017 at 2:31pm PST

Luckily, Toast’s legacy will live on thanks to her (and Sturino’s) hard work. Let’s have a toast to Toast.