Otis... my main man

[BigDaddy]

It kills me to post this, but our dog Otis was found to have a very aggressive cancer that had advanced beyond any possible treatment. We had to say goodbye this weekend to my best friend and one of the best dogs ever. We are so sad, but so grateful to have had eight years of joy with him. He enhanced our lives in so many ways and connected us to so many others. As so many here know, it is truly remarkable as how a dog can possibly have so much influence on one’s life. We will forever remember him with the deepest love and always appreciate our time together, albeit short, but beautiful and absolutely amazing.

Otis was my wing man and went to work with me every day. When I went to Virginia in April of 2007 to get the "colorful" dog we had picked from the internet, Otis made me rethink our choice, and turned the tables by choosing me. With my wife’s blessing, the black dog flew home inside the commercial cabin on my lap, and when we landed, he just took the city by storm.

He was welcomed in almost every store... from Home Depot, to our banks, paint, lumber, hardware, sporting stores to Newbury Street and Anthropology. He even appeared in our bank's annual report and wandered into more than one occupied dressing room in Harvard Square. He had more girlfriends than Tom Brady and a bigger ladies man, is just not possible.

As a therapy dog, he cheered many elderly residents in nursing homes and senior centers and received his AKC "Good Citizen Award". A virtual rock star, I was just his handler and he made friends wherever he went. He introduced me to both the famous and the homeless and I’d always pause to say hello and let whoever wanted to, pet him. We met and chatted with countless admirers, and loved to hold court on whatever patio served lunch. Although he leaves us far too soon, I feel so lucky to have shared and shined in his light and I am truly grateful for having been able to spend this much time with him. Thanks for indulging me, but many here knew him, and I am sure he would love all here, too.

















With his best friend, brother and litter mate, Boomer (on left, friends own him):








With BFF's, Sadie and Leo:




His girlfriend Sadie:










With his friend, Milo:




RIP Otis... you will be dearly missed.

[MMP]

RIP Otis, so sorry Daddy. A great dog, loved by all. I'll miss him.

Much love buddy. Talk soon.

[Jacques Sheer-Rocko]

Handsome fella, great action shots. RIP Otis.

[babybear]

Sorry for your loss BD
Otis was obviously awesome and a great steward of dogs
Super cute dog. His dog buddies must be bummed too

[cat in january]

I remember all the pictures on here of him-his personality certainly shined through the screen. Condolences for your loss.

[guroo270]

Sorry for your loss. Can't read that.

[The AD]

Looks like Otis had a great life. RIP, Otis!

Was he a Portuguese Water Dog?

[Bobby Stainless]

Sorry for your loss. Good dog.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Dam, I'm heartbroken by this. Otis was the best of dogs, better than most people.

Hang tough Mang.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Oh yea, FUCK CANCER!

[iceman]

So sorry man.

[Skidog]

Sorry for your loss...looks like that dog had a very happy life...

[stuckathuntermtn]

What a cutie. I'm sorry.

[Tuckerman]

Sorry man. RIP Otis

[PowerWhore7]

Damn dude, really sorry for you & your families loss.

RIP Otis the dog

[Binky]

ah man, that sucks. Remember all of the good times. Otis will always be with you.

fuck cancer in its puckered ass!

[Gepeto]

Sorry Otis had to leave early.
As you have so kindly shown, he left an indelible mark.
A man’s best friend makes a man better forever.
He will be on the steps waiting for you when you arrive.

[Timberridge]

RIP Otis.

Somewhere on the internet I recall seeing a site where people took first day and last day pictures of their dog, this reminded me a bit of that. Especially touching were the pics where the dog was puppy like in your pic #2, and the same child holding them was grown and holding them in the last pic.

[Elkhound Odin]

Losing a good dog is always a tragedy. My sincerest condolences.

[BigDaddy]

Looks like Otis had a great life. RIP, Otis!

Was he a Portuguese Water Dog?

Thanks AD and all, I really appreciate all the kind words.

Otis was an "Aussiedoodle", half Poodle, half Australian Shepherd.

[MMP]

Sorry Otis had to leave early.
As you have so kindly shown, he left an indelible mark.
A man’s best friend makes a man better forever.
He will be on the steps waiting for you when you arrive.

I am commenting again for three reasons

1. Otis deserves the bump, so to the top
2. To lighten the mood by admitting...
3. This may be the first thing Gepeto has posted that I actually knew what the fuck he was saying. (that could be an indictment on me i realize, but still.)

Hey BD, if you've never read "The Art of Racing in the Rain", I really think you'll like it. It ends like all dog stories, but your face will hurt from laugh-crying

[Danno]

RIP Otis. My condolences BigDaddy.

[huckbucket]

So sorry for your loss BD. What a great friend you had.

[TomCrac]

What a great looking dog. So sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.

[BigDaddy]

RIP Otis.

Especially touching were the pics where the dog was puppy like in your pic #2, and the same child holding them was grown and holding them in the last pic.

I have those, but it may be too much. Unfortunately, I only have a couple with the two of us, but this is my favorite. He loved to always put a paw on you...