He Came To Live Out Loud

In memory of Otis La Torre

April 1, 1998 – January 10, 2013

Pardon the liberties I am taking with today’s blog post.  I am honoring Otis, a wire hair fox terrier my husband and I adopted from the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, NJ eleven years ago.

Despite being a so-called purebreed dog and born somewhere in the mainland U.S., Otis carried the title, among others, of honorary Sato.  Four years ago when we took in our first Sato, Monito, it was Otis who took Mo under his paw and showed him how to be a dog and how to have fun.  He gave Monito what he needed most–confidence–which neither my husband nor I were able to do.

Over the last eleven years that we had the privilege of being Otis’s human parents, we were blessed with laughter every day.  Our social life improved since Otis had his own fan base.  Every now and then we would meet strangers who knew him and would share stories.

There were many bumps along the way.  We learned more medical terms than any layperson would ever wnat to know and I’m sure Otis is mentioned in at least one medical case study, either psychological or physiological.  Like most journeys, our eleven years with Otis took us away from our planned routes and comfort zones and brought us new experiences, good and bad. It was a journey I will always be grateful to have travelled.  Otis constantly amazed us with his courage, heart, stubborness, determination and ability to leave his mark wherever he went.  Otis was an original.

Someone once wrote “Fox Terriers are born with about four times as much original sin as other dogs are…”  I can attest to that statement.

Living with Otis has been the roller coaster ride of a lifetime and it has come to an end as everything must.  But Otis’s spirit will continue to live on and for that I am truly grateful.

I cannot end this blog without thanking the doctors who were responsible for Otis’s care and well-being during the last three years…

Dr. Roger Poole, Colonial Veterinary Clinic, Colts Neck

Dr. William Komazec, Colonial Veterinary Clinic, Colts Neck

Dr. Thomas Trotter, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Tinton Falls

Dr. Noemi Benitah, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Tinton Falls

And a very special thank you to Otis’s friends Deann Bowen, Jody PaPay and Stacy Walker, the veterinarian technicians at the Monmouth County SPCA, and the whole MCSPCA Administration Office.

Rest in peace my little man.