Otis
Otis died on Monday.
Otis was my best friend ever. I’ve never had a better one.
But how can I tell you about a friendship that lasted more than a decade so you will understand? There we so many things Otis and I did together.
All the memories come flooding back.
Walking along the wooden boardwalk — the one that winds through the most beautiful forest — we’d share the seasons together – all of them – winter, summer, spring and fall. Just the two of us spending the days of our lives… together.
I don’t think Otis had many friends before I met him. Actually, I know he didn’t. So, I like to think I saved him from a lonely and bitter fate. No one seemed to like him, although I couldn’t really figure out why. He was an awesome companion and friend.
A more loyal friend no man ever had – I can tell you that.
The day I met Otis was an ordinary day in the life. There was nothing special about that day until I walked into the room and saw him for the first time.
The first time I saw him I felt an amazing connection. I looked into his big brown eyes and, to me at least, they looked so sad. I guess it was his eyes that reached into me and touched something in my heart and then my heart took over.
Whatever it was, it was real.
It wasn’t too long after I met Otis that he moved in with me. Most of people I knew – notice I didn’t use te word “friends” there – didn’t think it would work out. But I knew in my heart it would.
Otis didn’t have a job and he didn’t bring in any income, but I let him stay with me because he was a friend. And before too long, he became my best friend. Though people thought that Otis and I would never remain friends, our friendship grew stronger. Soon, there came a time when there was nothing Otis would not do for me and nothing I would not do for him.
In the summer, we developed an evening routine. We’d take our walking along the serpentine path in the woods, but then, at he last curve we’d take a shortcut to the ice cream place. The ice cream place was called “The Igloo”… but to Otis and me it was just the plain old, ice cream place.
Just about every night in the summer, I’d buy Otis a vanilla ice cream cone. It was fun watching him eat it. He loved ice cream so much; it almost looked like he ate the entire ice cream cone – cone and all – in one huge bite. I may be exaggerating, but not by much, and only to make a point.
Otis loved his ice cream.
Another thing I remember about Otis was that he was curious. Sometimes, to the point of annoying me. My weight has always been a problem, so walking to me was for exercise, not just for the beautiful seasonal scenery along the path. But for Otis, whose weight was never a problem, his curiosity always got the best of him. Every bug, every butterfly, every falling leaf, or out-of-place log, captured his attention. He would stop and investigate, while I walked on until I realized that Otis has veered off the path to check out something he found interesting.
Then, I’d turn around and go back and wait for Otis to finish his inspection, then on we’d go. Of course, all this time I was not burning any calories – I starting thinking that perhaps Otis didn’t mind me being overweight — or “obese” as some of my doctors described it on my records. Heck, how can 20 pounds overweight be obese?
No thanks to Otis, I dropped those 20 pounds and then some. I was often jealous that Otis could eat ice cream cones every single summer night, while I sat there drinking a $2.50 bottle of certified spring water than probably sprang up from some city’s water supply and was triple-filtered to remove the junk and chlorine, thereby passing for spring water.
Otis was a dear friend and I loved him so much. Every day of every season, he was by my side. My friend. My companion. My buddy.
Otis was black with dark brown eyes. He was full of energy and he was full of love. Otis died on Monday. One of the saddest days of my life was the day I buried him… and said a final goodbye to Otis… my best friend for more than fifteen years.
Otis was just a dog, but I will never ever forget him.
It is so very hard to lose your beloved companion. So sad for you.
I feel your sadness. Dogs are such good companions , the sad thing is that their life span is so much shorter than ours.
I have owned quite a few dogs and each one has had a good life but now they are gone I remember each one clearly and the love we had for each other and the joy they brought into my life. You will be sad for a while but then you will look back and remember what good times you had together, without the sadness.
Otis was not “just a dog” – he was your best friend, which made him very special. Animals give us a kind of love that people cannot, so losing them seems to be that much harder. My deepest condolences. Hopefully one day you’ll find another buddy who can lift your heart once again.
Awwwwwww so sorry to hear about your dog. They are just like your children in a way. You love them just as much. Hope you soon will feel better and maybe one day get another dog. They are so loyal.
I’m sorry about the loss of your friend Otis, TC. Those of us blessed to have lived with furry ones know they are true friends and how much it hurts to lose them. However, we wouldn’t give up one moment we have had with them because that and the good memories far outweigh the pain. Otis will live in your heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your article brought tears to my eyes because I knew almost immediately you had to be talking about your dog. They really are called “man’s (or woMAN’s) best friend for a reason. After 15 years, the next few months are going to be hard–because you haven’t just lost your best friend but your whole way of life. When I lost my best friend of 11 years–Toby, a Pembroke Corgi–after about 2 months of getting used to life without him I started saying that I wanted another Toby. But I knew that meant I wasn’t ready–that any dog I got I would compare to him–and that wouldn’t be fair to either one of us. But after another 4 months went by I caught myself saying that I wanted another Corgi instead of “I want another “Toby”. I knew it meant that I was probably ready for a new best friend to come into my life.
I know it’s too early for you to even think about this right now. I just wanted to let you know that, although it takes awhile, I hope in time you’ll find a way to open your heart again to allow a new “best friend” to come into your life. I have–and I am much happier for it. And as odd as it may sound, I actually believe it was Toby who sent Kasper into my life because I soon learned that Kasper needed me as much as I needed him.
Sincerely,
Gina
So sorry to hear of the loss of your best friend. I have two best friends. . . . Chrissy and Freddy. I dread the day when they head over the Rainbow Bridge.
Having had and lost my own Otis I can attest to the special friendship that we share with our four footed friends. My condolences.
It’s amazing how we let our pets have a special place in our hearts. I didn’t go and find her, she found me.
I have a rescued cat that has captured my affection 100%. She comes running from somewhere when I’ve been out and what a loving greeting I get.
I have cried many tears over the years when I have lost an animal friend.
It’s been a long while since I’ve been on here but want you to know I feel your sadness and pain.
I think I came on as Miss M
So sorry to hear about the sad passing of Otis…There is nothing that can compare with the closeness, the companionship of a loving and loved dog.Some few years ago Sheba was my lovely doggy companion. I had moved from the London {England} area to Cornwall 250 miles away…I wrote a letter to my old community saying that I had moved with Sheba and that we never left each other’s side…I wrote that she was a lovely black girl, and that we were so happy etc , etc…A letter somewhat like the one you have written about Otis…. What I wrote was so obviously seemingly authentic that I had a mail in return from one of the ladies to say that because I was now living with a lady of different skin colour to mine , it should not have been a reason to have moved so far away to live our lives….I used to write articles about my lovely Sheba for the pages of NOTH…..
Otis could never be “just a dog”. My heartfelt sympathy.
So sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my companion and best friend coco years ago and still miss her. There is nothing like the loss of your pet. My deepest condolences.
Thank you for sharing, as I was reading about Otis and your friendship, it brings so many feelings up for so many reasons. It is always hard to lose the most loyal and loving companion you will ever have in your life. There are no harsh words or arguments just pure joy and devotion from a soul that desires only your time and attention to take care of them, play with them and feed and water them. My little old man Chewy is nearing his transition and I know that I will forever be changed when he is no longer in my life, for he forever changed me when he came into my life.
what a lovely tribute for Otis………….when our sheltie “copper” just couldn’t make it anymore I sat beside him and held his paw while the vet sent him off to sleep forever…………………I now have my most precious cat “sassy” that I just could not do without……she is with me constantly wherever I am, bedroom, bathroom, basement, on my lap, sleeps beside me, I love her so much….if I go out she will be waiting at the door till I come back in….she is only 3 years old now and I hope we have many more loving years together………
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to your dear and loyal friend. Otis graced your life for more than a decade. What a blessing he was to you, and you were to him.
A lovely story,reminding me so much of my best friend. Her name was Katie , she was my shadow,my protector and my playmate. We went everywhere together,and everyone loved her,she was quiet,beautiful,and playful. I only had her for a few years before a brain tumor took her life. My heart broke that day and I will never be able to find such a friend again.
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry to read about your loss. Otis, not just a dog. I bet your best friend & companion.
Cherish all the memories you have shared with him. I still think of my dogs & still miss them very much.
So sorry TC. I feel your pain. I have both dogs and cats and a rabbit who died at 14 years old waiting for me at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge when one day we will cross over together and Otis is there now waiting for you. ?
So sorry for your loss. I lost my two dogs in the last 3 years. The evening I fed and played with my yellow Lab, I told her I loved her and started inside as she headed off the deck in our enclosed back yard. She stopped and looked at me and it was almost like she was telling me goodbye. Then she went down to her doghouse. The next morning I found her peacefully asleep forever on her side in the house. The vet said most likely her heart just stopped. She was 14 and that’s a pretty full life for a Lab. I got rid of all traces of the doghouse, feeding bowls and fencing on one side of my yard. The only thing I want to remember now is that day and that look she gave me and to look at the photos I made of her over the years. Dogs give unconditional love and she and the other dog were no exception. You can bet Otis felt the same about you both.
So sorry to hear about Otis, we, also, had a best friend and pal who passed away at the good age of 16. That was over 10 years ago and we still miss him dearly. Keep thinking of the fun times and the snuggles with him I found this really helped me an awful lot. We had him checked out and it was cancer so we knew we had to put him to sleep, hated to do this but we knew we had to. Keep the good thoughts and our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dear dog Otis. It is truly a very sad day. We also had to say goodbye to our little dog we had for sixteen years. We will never forget her and have lots of pictures of her that bring back a lot of memories. We went a long time without a pet after she passed away but August of last year we got a beautiful Maine Coon kitten. I read somewhere that they are a lot like a dog and I am starting to see that. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and maybe some day down the road you will find a new friend who will be glad to walk with you to the Ice Cream store. Take care!
Nice tribute to your best friend. Well written as well. I’m sorry for your loss.
I know how you feel about Otis. I took in a wild cat and her 1 kitten several years ago. When the kitten was 8 months old, we adopted him out and kept the mother. She is a brown and tan calico so we named her Callie. Quite original. I’m retired and she follows me around the house wherever I go. She watches TV with me and sleeps at the foot of my bed at night. During the day she will sleep against my pillow, or any article of clothing I happen to leave laying around. My wife is not due to retire for another year so, Callie keeps me company all day. We are not quite sure how old she is but she does not appear to be too young.
Yes, I will miss her terribly when she is gone. I’m not sure I will be able to get another one to take her place. I’m not sure I want another one to take her place.
Your story brought back some wonderful memories for my husband and I also as we have had three Ötis” over the years and felt every word of your sorrow as dogs are such wonderful companies who ask for so little but give back so much. The world could learn such a lot from our four footed friends and we really loved your story.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I know the pain of losing a beloved animal friend and companion. You have my deepest sympathy. I like to believe that we will meet our beloved pets again in the afterlife.
Oh, I could tell right from the start it was a dog. They offer a very special kind of love. You have my sympathy and understanding. Trust me, get another dog. You will know when the time is right.
Oh dear brought tears to my eyes. I am saddened by the loss of your fur baby . I lost my little
Benji a year ago and never thought I could ever get another dog. But I did a few months later I have Cody He is a rescue dog, and didn’t like people very much at all, He now knows he is loved and cherished, and trusts me all the way now. Not as smart as Benji, but we are working on it, I know and understand your pain best wishes Hope a friendly brown nose pup will find you