When we first contacted Savannah about Toby, she explained that he's only a pet in the loosest sense, as he comes and goes as he pleases. It sounds like the relationship is mutually beneficial—he gets to use her porch as a safe home base, and she gets to take cute pictures of him.
Gardening experts recommend making your yard frog and toad friendly because they vacuum up so many bugs. If you want these cute and useful visitors, you can try leaving out a dish of water and a shelter, like an overturned flower pot, where they can rest and be protected from predators.
Encouraging frogs and toads to hang around your house isn't recommended if you have dogs, though, because the amphibians can release poison if bitten or picked up. Some toads only cause unpleasant effects to dogs, like a nasty taste and excessive drooling, while others are life-threatening, so it's important to look up which toads live in your area and what the risks are.
