Otis
It is with much sadness that we report today, December 7, 2009, the loss of Otis. Only out of the shelter for just over a week, Otis had been surrendered with his best friend, Beatrice the rough collie. A wonderful organization called Muttville, who specialize in seniors of all breeds, took them as a pair as we didn't want to split them up. The shelter reported that they stressed if they were separated. We and Norcal Collie Rescue crosslisted the dogs for Muttville. After a few days with Sherri at Muttville, she reported that they really had settled well and didn't appear to be all that bonded after all. Otis went off to his very own foster home in the loving care of Kate. After a couple of days, she let us know just how wonderful Otis was. This is what she wrote at 9pm last night (December 6): Hi, I am Otis's foster mom for Muttville. Update is that Otis is a charmer! and VERY active...he will EASILY calm down and hang out but he is a mover and a shaker on walks and ate up the city life (even revolving doors) in downtown SF. He is a special dog and I hope you will update his activity level. He outwalks me and I'm a 6 foot runner. He is curious and connected as well. Kate Otis was fine last night. Enjoyed a very energetic and tail-wagging walk (I can just picture him, enjoying the good life!). He went to bed and was fine overnight. He ate this morning, just enough not to sound any alarms, and definitely not too much. His foster mom said goodbye and went off to work. An hour later her room mate reported that Otis was out on the deck, very still and apparently he had passed away. We suspect bloat, but Muttville will have a necropsy performed to see if we can find out what on earth happened. What we do know is that Otis died in a loving environment and had soft, warm blankets, and good food in his belly. We may not have ever met him, but Otis will hold a very dear place in the GGBR heart.