My Friends & Otis

Otis came into their lives rather unexpectedly. They had never had a dog before...and Otis was just a stray that showed up in their neighborhood, roaming from one house to the next, looking for a handout. He should have been called "ToTo" like the dog in the Wizard of Oz, because he could have been his double. But he kept coming back to the McDonald house and eventually they all fell in love. That was ten years ago. Over the years, I have enjoyed knowing Otis as well. He sat on the table with us as we played cards at their house, moved from lap to lap giving sugars to any and everyone, barked at 10 p.m. to let us know it was time for his nightly scoop of ice cream. Everyone loved Otis, how could you not . And best of all, he gave the McDonald's unconditional love and turned an old man into a 'softie'.

Today is a sad day. About a week ago, Otis got sick. The vet said it was pancreatitis, but treatment has not been able to help Otis and the vet says that he is suffering and it is time to let him go. My heart breaks for them as saying goodbye is such a hard thing to do. Sometime soon I will tell them about the "Rainbow Bridge", but not today. Today, they will do what they were chosen to do when Otis adopted them ten years ago, and it will hurt like hell. It is what they must do for Otis because they love him.

Knowing about the Rainbow Bridge has comforted me when Bubba, Penny & Maggie died. I hope it will be a comfort to my dear friends as well.