This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Adoption Success Story: Otis, a Special Dog, Got the Love he Needed

Client Care Supervisor, Deanna Murphy, talks about finding a family for Otis.

It was a warm day in August when Otis arrived at the Bideawee Adoption Center
in Westhampton, and it was in just the nick of time.  After several weeks of delays and an eagerly awaiting staff, Otis lumbered off the van onto Westhampton soil.  Otis was the most humorous looking dog most of us had ever seen, having the body of a Basset hound, the face of a Labrador and probably a few other things mixed in too. He was also one of the luckiest dogs. Bideawee had rescued him from an untimely demise in a municipal shelter, just minutes before he was out of time. Once Bideawee heard his story and his desperate need to find a new home,
Bideawee just had to help. It took many moons to coordinate proper transport
that would ensure Otis had a safe trip here and he had finally made it.

Otis was an older dog filled with such beautiful warmth, love, and charm.  He was a true gentleman, always tender and easy with everyone he met.  It was impossible not to fall head over heels for him.  Unfortunately, Otis suffered
from an eye abrasion, which required treatment, and the staff at the Adoption Center at Bideawee worried that this condition and his age would deter potential adopters.  While the Animal Hospital at Bideawee provided him with all of the medications he needed to bring soothing relief to his eyes, sometimes they were extra swollen in the mornings and all the staff and volunteers couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the monotony of day-to-day kennel life was slowing down the healing process.  We know that the mind often heals the body so we continued to faithfully wait for his opportunity to go home and were steadfast in never giving up hope that his family would walk through our door.

Two months after Otis’ arrival the perfect match came into the Adoption
Center at Bideawee looking for a new family member.  It was a very emotional
situation as the adopters were veterans of the animal welfare field and being
at any rescue was very overwhelming. Everyone at Bideawee knew right away that
they were special people who understood the importance of forever families
because of their previous work with saving animals that had lost theirs.   They were tender and tearfully involved with the dogs at our facility, putting their
hearts into making a careful decision. They had seen heart-breaking situations in the past and were in need of a very special animal to provide therapeutic comfort.  That’s when we introduced them to Otis. 

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The entire staff was smitten while watching Otis interact with his soon-to-be-adoptive parents and the easy way they all fit together. Needless to say, they swept him up and took him home, over-joyed and weeping with happiness. Everyone at Bideawee that day bid Otis an emotional farewell as he embarked on the next adventure in his life.

Since his adoption, we have been in close contact with Otis’ family to see how he has adjusted to living at home.  We are pleased and touched to say that he comes
in for frequent visits to the Adoption Center at Bideawee, and that he is thriving.  Otis is grinning ear-to-ear every time! His adoptive parents tell us stories about their recent journeys and travels, Otis’ tendency to hog the couch, and how, within a few short weeks of being at home, his eyes cleared up to their upmost potential.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During our last visit, with tears in their eyes, the adopters embraced the staff members, thanking us for the opportunity to adopt such a wonderful boy, and telling us of the love, comfort, and joy that he had given to them.  With tears in our eyes, we thanked them for giving an older, wonderful dog, our Otis, a second chance and a home. Time and time again, the mind has the ability to heal the body, and time and again dogs heal themind and soothe the heart.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?