To our little buddy Otis,



My sweet precious baby boy, I can't believe you are gone from us so suddenly. Your little heart just gave out without warning today, but after finding out that you were being attacked by cancer, too, I realize that God, in His mercy has spared you from untold suffering, and for that I am grateful. Still, my heart is breaking over missing you now, and I am beyond words at trying to explain how it feels that you are not here at home with us tonight, in your usual spot beside Daddy's chair.  I remember the day you came to "adopt" us 16 years ago, and all the days between. I confess that I am guilty of dreading this day so many times as I've watched the signs of aging taking their toll on you and I saw your strength becoming more challenged, but you always had a way of convincing me that you were just fine and that somehow you were going to beat the inevitable odds.  I guess I didn't stop to realize that (on top of everything else that made you so special), you were such a good actor, too.  But even the Vet was always amazed at your spunky disposition for your age, and of course, I always loved hearing that. 



You were my first baby and coping with losing you today is even harder than I ever could have imagined. There was no way to prepare myself for the way I would feel today. I know you would not want me to be so sad and you would be doing everything in your power to cheer me up if you were here right now, so I want you to know that I am really trying and working very hard at focusing on all the wonderful memories we have had with you ... you climbing that two story ladder to find your "daddy" when you were barely big enough to reach the rungs... the way you would dance in delighted circles, even when we spelled "t-r-e-a-t-s" or "r-i-d-e," your sweetness and compassion with accepting all of the others that have joined our family, one by one, the way you patiently put up with us when we made your hair into funny styles during your bathtime, the way you would always wag your little tail back at me every time I smiled at you from across the room... and the countless times you just let me hold you and listened intently to whatever I needed to talk about; always understanding when I was perplexed, always sympathetic when I was sad, always happy when I was excited about something.  



You know, everybody said we spoiled you rotten, but you were worth it, Sweetie and I don't regret one single minute of that with you! Buddy, you will be forever loved in our hearts and missed more than you will ever know.  Thank you for the wonderful blessing you have been in our lives and for ALL the love you've given us.  We will never forget you.  We all love you, Baby, and that will never die.  I promise.  



Love, Mommy and Daddy, Ellie, Stinky, Sissie, Callie, Rufus and Mya.