Tribute to my beloved Otis

[Sandi]

I lost my beloved Akita last April 13th, and not a day has gone by that I haven't cried for his loss. He was my furry little angel.Otis was an incredible being. I don't even like to think of him as just a dog, but an angel on earth who I had the incredible experience of having known.He was given to me as a gift when he was only 8 weeks old. Eighteen pounds and a bundle of joy!! I used to call him my little Teddy Bear with a heartbeat. Not once in his 13 years did I ever have to give him a bath. He was so incredibly clean that he groomed himself like a cat twice a day. His head smelled like Double Bubble chewing gum! The pads of his feet smelled like nachoes!No wonder the Japanese view Akitas as their national monument, because his full grown stature was an impressive 120 lbs. He was a big lovable gentle giant of few words. The only time you heard Otis's voice was when someone pulled up into my driveway, then the windows would shake with his one big forceful "WOOF", or when I plyed piano, as he used to love to sing along.Athough I spent thousands of dollars trying to save him in his final months, seeing him suffer was to great to bear. Otis gracefully said good bye to me upon our final journey to the vets and thumped in my arms when he was given the "needle".I truly hope that he is at that place known as the Rainbow Bridge playing and having fun and feeling no more pain. I miss him so much, but I can't wait to see him again one day,he was my true soul mate.

[Shells_k]

Otis sounds like he was a fantastic companion. So sorry for your loss Sandi.

[Sandi]

Thank you very much for your reply.

[ann_hawes]

I completely understand your sentiments, Sandi, as I'm sure others here do as well. I lost a wonderful dog in June and I still can't believe that as close as we were, we could now be completely separated. The only thing that makes sense to me is that there are other dogs out there, that if given the opportunity, will be a great friend and influence (yes, my dogs are a very POSITIVE influence) in my life. None will take his place, but others are capable of winning our hearts.

[turfgirl]

I lost 2 in one year, my little 14 year old gentleman Gizmo and the my 10 month old bundle of fluff Rylie. I know just how you feel. Giz was my soul mate he knew everything about me and knew every feeling I had. Rylie was just a little minx who kept me running lol. Now I have a new little fluff ball Lexcee and she is helping to mend my heart. It is painful I know, but it sounds like you did all you could and gave him a wonderful life and a peaceful passing. I truly beleive that we will see them again and they are all playing together up there just waiting for us to join them. Hugs and lots of kisses from Susan & Lexcee. If you want to chat please pm me anytime.

[BetterDog4U]

Sandi, Otis was very lucky to have had you as his owner. I know how you fell as i too have had to go thru the passing of a great pet. Chip was the center of my life for more than 15 years.

Knowing you gave Otis a great life, you should be very proud. The pain of loss will fade in time, but, if you remember the good times you shared he'll stay in your heart forever!!!

I wish you peace!

[Sandi]

Michael, Thank you for your understanding and I empathize with your loss.It is such a huge transition not to have our best friends with us anymore.Chip was a lucky dog to have you as his companion!

[dobetaztic]

so sorry for your loss it sounded like otis was a wonderful dog that gave you many years of happy times as you did for him. i am sure he will be running free with my crew at rainbow bridge.

[Sandi]

How are you coping??

[Janet]

When i lost my most beloved dog Brandy 8 years ago i thought my heart would break. He was 18 1/2 years old and my most trusted friend and then I thought what a lifetime of fun, pleasure, love and trust that we shared. That gift is priceless, so think of all the good times you had, all the love you shared and move on, thats what I did and now I have Morgan and Blue. I will never ever forget Brandy, but I have the love in me to give to my dogs now and any others in the future. So just remember all the happy memories you have of Otis and good luck.

[saveawolf]

I hope this helps


If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember...

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder.

Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking animal in a shelter - simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room. first time - it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep where you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet - and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day, if your friend and God have not decided for you, you will be faced with making a decision of your own - on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul - a bit smaller in size than your own - seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, very very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay - you will remember those three significant days.

The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart. As time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when - along with the memory of your pet, and piercing through the heaviness in your heart - there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love - like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow - and be there for us to remember.

It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets - it is a Love that we will always possess.