His eyes went in two directions but everything else about my first dog love went straight to my heart. Alas, the next Otto to cross my path couldn't quite hold up.
Otto was a beauty. It is a significant life event to find our soul mate dog or cat or goldfish. My cat Otis was that for me. All my cats were special, and I hope to get a new pair soon to love, but Otis was at another level of connection and care.
I used to sing The Wind Beneath My Wings to my cats. They listened with grave attention.xo.
Pretty much anything I need to say to my dogs regularly is set to a tune. When I had two senior rescue ladies at the same time, I sang, “all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies… now put you paws up!” to Beyoncé. “Babes” used to be our Cavalier, Peanut’s nickname (one of many) and every night I had to sing him “I got you Babes” or “Babes” to the tune of “Babe” by Styx. I mean, do you even own a dog if you don’t sing to them?
This house has seen four West highland terriers in four shapes and sizes with a myriad of nicknames. Just some of the nom-de-plums in the upper range of the alphabet for my "Atticus Finch" ( loyal, brave and true) are: Addo, Atti-doodle, Bean-head, Boops, Boo-bers, and Booty-boop, and Scoot-Poot. My daughter beelines it for this dog when she visits and calls her at least another ten names including Mcdoogle, Mcdoougs, Doobie-Doodle, Doobs, and more often than not, just plain Doober. Believe it or not, she response to every single name.
I really relate to your story about Otto. Also thinking about who my “heart dog” is in my life. There are two stand outs and I can’t decide. We often look at one of our dogs and wonder if they is a little bit reincarnated, Zoe or Winnie in them. Sometimes you just see a funny trait and want to believe. These days I try to really live in the present with them and enjoy every moment. I know life is fleeting for them. I would win all the dogs too if I did rescue work – I don’t know how you hold yourself back. I would feel the same -knowing that a Foster may have a nicer set up for them. Debby sounds cool! Everyone needs a cranky ‘lady’ dog in their life sometime! 😂
Aaaah Otto. That face! Deep heart in there. Babalu loves opera. Yup. Opera. Partial to Puccini.
He's a Havanese (the breed is from Cuba!) We had two of the most glorious pugs on the face of the earth -- ShuMai and MeiMei for their whole lives, but when it came time to adopt another dog, I found out I was horribly allergic to dogs! CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE? Hence, only hypoallergenic dogs for us, but nothing wrong with lots of dog interactions of all kinds when out and about!
What a great tribute to Otto. I'm one of the lucky few who not only met him but cuddled with him in Julie's loft (after she carried him one armed up the ladder).
i think that my boston Artoo may be a distant relative of Otto: they have the same eyes but the tips of his ears flip backward, not forward. And he definitely doesn't understand an elevator.
Are you REALLY a pet owner if you do not give every single one of them a unique voice. Benjamin (aka Behnajmin, his preferred spelling) cannot utter a sentence without at least three curse words, he would be an angry drunk and smoke chain smoke cigarettes if allowed. Raisin Bran sounds like a brainless, breathless Marilyn Monroe who continually tries to wheedle Richard into leaving me and marrying her.
I have two cats, a dog, lots of fish and a galah (rose breasted cockatoo for non Australians apparently). The cats demand their morning ritual, that I have to abide by.
Wally the galah? We start out singing “ good morning “ etc, you know how the song goes, a bit of dancing ( mostly Wal) and then all the cuddles. Takes an age but wouldn’t change it for the world
I make up songs or change lyrics for my rescue boy, Toby the Wonder Dog. These are 😉brilliant, along the lines of: I love your nose so sweet and your frito feet! I have a few I sing daily. Rhyming is important.
I just found out about you on the Substack Dinner a love story. I’m too old to adopt a young dog, and we have an older rescued cat, the love of our lives. I’ve never actually known a Boston terrier ( we had an Airedale!) but look forward to reading your posts.
Are you REALLY a pet owner if you do not give every single one of them a unique voice. Benjamin (aka Behnajmin, his preferred spelling) cannot utter a sentence without at least three curse words, he would be an angry drunk and chain smoke cigarettes if allowed. Raisin Bran sounds like a brainless, breathless Marilyn Monroe who continually tries to wheedle Richard into leaving me and marrying her.
Otto was a beauty. It is a significant life event to find our soul mate dog or cat or goldfish. My cat Otis was that for me. All my cats were special, and I hope to get a new pair soon to love, but Otis was at another level of connection and care.
I used to sing The Wind Beneath My Wings to my cats. They listened with grave attention.xo.
♥️♥️♥️
Katherine!!! I’m so happy to see you here! (And you, too, of course, Julie, but that seems obvious since I subscribed to your newsletter!)
Brandon!!! Welcome! And thank you so much. 😊
Hello Brandon! I’m happy to see you as well!
Across all the platforms!
Yes! ♥️
Pretty much anything I need to say to my dogs regularly is set to a tune. When I had two senior rescue ladies at the same time, I sang, “all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies, all the senior ladies… now put you paws up!” to Beyoncé. “Babes” used to be our Cavalier, Peanut’s nickname (one of many) and every night I had to sing him “I got you Babes” or “Babes” to the tune of “Babe” by Styx. I mean, do you even own a dog if you don’t sing to them?
You are FUNNY.
This house has seen four West highland terriers in four shapes and sizes with a myriad of nicknames. Just some of the nom-de-plums in the upper range of the alphabet for my "Atticus Finch" ( loyal, brave and true) are: Addo, Atti-doodle, Bean-head, Boops, Boo-bers, and Booty-boop, and Scoot-Poot. My daughter beelines it for this dog when she visits and calls her at least another ten names including Mcdoogle, Mcdoougs, Doobie-Doodle, Doobs, and more often than not, just plain Doober. Believe it or not, she response to every single name.
She's a smart Schmoops.
Perfection!! 🥰
I really relate to your story about Otto. Also thinking about who my “heart dog” is in my life. There are two stand outs and I can’t decide. We often look at one of our dogs and wonder if they is a little bit reincarnated, Zoe or Winnie in them. Sometimes you just see a funny trait and want to believe. These days I try to really live in the present with them and enjoy every moment. I know life is fleeting for them. I would win all the dogs too if I did rescue work – I don’t know how you hold yourself back. I would feel the same -knowing that a Foster may have a nicer set up for them. Debby sounds cool! Everyone needs a cranky ‘lady’ dog in their life sometime! 😂
I love that! I agree, and dogs are the best at teaching us how to live in the moment! 💕😊
Aaaah Otto. That face! Deep heart in there. Babalu loves opera. Yup. Opera. Partial to Puccini.
He's a Havanese (the breed is from Cuba!) We had two of the most glorious pugs on the face of the earth -- ShuMai and MeiMei for their whole lives, but when it came time to adopt another dog, I found out I was horribly allergic to dogs! CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE? Hence, only hypoallergenic dogs for us, but nothing wrong with lots of dog interactions of all kinds when out and about!
I remember Otto ♥️ from You Had Me at Woof. My Boston Terrier Benji has those same ears.
Every morning when Benji and I wake up he rolls over on his back and gets a good tummy rub while I sing You are My Sunshine twice.
♥️♥️♥️
Aww, I love this, Jenn !! ♥️
What a great tribute to Otto. I'm one of the lucky few who not only met him but cuddled with him in Julie's loft (after she carried him one armed up the ladder).
i think that my boston Artoo may be a distant relative of Otto: they have the same eyes but the tips of his ears flip backward, not forward. And he definitely doesn't understand an elevator.
Artooo!!!! 💕💕💕💕💕💕
I love how his eyeballs go everywhere but straight
Eyes going straight is easy! Let's appreciate that he had a joie de vivre!
I hope "new" Otto finds a good home.
He will have a great new home!! I promise! 💕💕💕
Are you REALLY a pet owner if you do not give every single one of them a unique voice. Benjamin (aka Behnajmin, his preferred spelling) cannot utter a sentence without at least three curse words, he would be an angry drunk and smoke chain smoke cigarettes if allowed. Raisin Bran sounds like a brainless, breathless Marilyn Monroe who continually tries to wheedle Richard into leaving me and marrying her.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love this. Also, great headline.
Thank you! ♥️
I have two cats, a dog, lots of fish and a galah (rose breasted cockatoo for non Australians apparently). The cats demand their morning ritual, that I have to abide by.
Wally the galah? We start out singing “ good morning “ etc, you know how the song goes, a bit of dancing ( mostly Wal) and then all the cuddles. Takes an age but wouldn’t change it for the world
Oh I love this!!!!
I make up songs or change lyrics for my rescue boy, Toby the Wonder Dog. These are 😉brilliant, along the lines of: I love your nose so sweet and your frito feet! I have a few I sing daily. Rhyming is important.
I’m tapping my toes! This one’s a real banger!!
How embarrassing that steamships have been my go-to gift for years now. 🤦🏼♂️
😂
I love you, Ted!
I just found out about you on the Substack Dinner a love story. I’m too old to adopt a young dog, and we have an older rescued cat, the love of our lives. I’ve never actually known a Boston terrier ( we had an Airedale!) but look forward to reading your posts.
Thank you so much! I love old dogs the best!! ♥️
My husband is disabled, or I’d be adopting an older dog today. I plan to do so in the future.
Sandra those are two excellent examples of great work! Brava!!!
Are you REALLY a pet owner if you do not give every single one of them a unique voice. Benjamin (aka Behnajmin, his preferred spelling) cannot utter a sentence without at least three curse words, he would be an angry drunk and chain smoke cigarettes if allowed. Raisin Bran sounds like a brainless, breathless Marilyn Monroe who continually tries to wheedle Richard into leaving me and marrying her.