One evening last year, Sita Hood got an unexpected guest on her front porch — a little green toad who decided to make herself right at home.
Rather than hopping along after a brief visit, the bold amphibian claimed a cozy spot: one of Hood’s running shoes.
Instead of turning the toad away, Hood did the opposite — she gave her a name and a home.
“I couldn’t wear the shoe anymore, but donating it was no big deal,” Hood told The Dodo. “If it gave her comfort or protection, why not?”
The toad, who Hood affectionately named Jabba the Toad, quickly settled into a routine.
Each night, she emerged to snack on bugs lured in by the porch light — which Hood thoughtfully left on just for her.
When she wasn’t hunting, Jabba could always be found tucked back inside the shoe, her chosen sanctuary.
As summer came to a close, Hood watched Jabba hop off the porch and into the woods — likely headed off to hibernate for the winter. The shoe was finally empty, but Hood still left it out, just in case.
And sure enough, the next spring, Jabba returned.
“One morning, there she was — back in my shoe,” Hood said with a smile.
That second summer played out just like the first: quiet companionship between woman and toad. But there was one minor hiccup.
“A well-meaning friend moved the shoes and relocated Jabba to the flower bed,” Hood said. “But later that night, she was back.”
To prevent further confusion, Hood even put up a sign above the shoe, politely alerting others to Jabba’s presence — no more surprise evictions.
As the seasons changed again, Jabba eventually left once more. Whether she’ll return next spring remains to be seen, but her impact is lasting.
For Hood, the unexpected friendship was a simple but meaningful reminder of the connections that can form when we open our hearts — even to the smallest creatures.
“I was grateful and delighted to have a friendship with Jabba,” Hood said. “We’re all part of the web of life — and on good days, we’re here for each other.”
