I have a black lab named Corey. He is now 7 years old but because of his excellent blood line and his warm and loving ways, we decided to breed Corey. We were able to have first pick of the litter. When I saw Otis, I knew he was the one. He had those adorable dark eyes and was so energetic. Otis was born on 6/1/2007. He came to live with us in July 2007. Since the day he came to us, he has been a precious gift to my entire family. He loves to run and play and chase birds and he acts as a "protector" for our family.

This past April, Otis wasn't acting right. He had put himself in a cubby house of our home. He wasn't walking well. This was on a Thursday. By Friday morning, Otis was not able to walk. He was paralyzed on his back paws for unknown reasons. X rays revealed nothing. He was started on a high dose of steriods and antibiotics. After a week we saw no improvement. We decided to get a second opinion from a wholistic veterinarian in our area. Upon his review, Otis had two discs protruding out of his spine.

Otis began new meds and accupuncture. We were hopeful but after 2 1/2 weeks of therapy, Otis has not gotten better. He is unable to walk and lays on my kitchen floor 24 hours a day. I look into those big beautiful eyes and he looks at me as to say, "what mama? Why can't I walk or play?"

Tomorrow, 5/23/11, Otis will be put to sleep. He will be gone but certainly not forgotten. I am a nurse and have seen many people die, but I just cannot watch my baby leave me. I have spent the last few days giving him extra love and extra hugs. The tears are never ending and when I heard about Rainbow Bridge I wanted my puppy to be there with other pets who have gone "home".

I love my dogs so much but Otis has been the most loving dog I have ever had. He always tries to protect me. It's funny, he weighs 85 pounds and thinks he is a lap dog. When my husband is sitting in his chair he will crawl up on him. If I sit on my husband's lap he will "nip" at me and pull at my shirt to get me off the chair. He is so protective of me!

My heart will be missing a big part tomorrow when he goes home. I am so thankful that I found the Rainbow Bridge as it gives me hope that I will be reunited with my beloved Otis. Although he isn't quite 4 years old, I feel like he has been in my life forever. I will miss you my loving son! I will miss fighting over the blankets every night when we go to bed. I will miss how you purposefully lay on my legs so I can't get out of bed until you do. I will miss how you would go outside in the snow and run until you tripped because the snow was so high. I will miss taking you to our cottage and watching you jump off the boat ramp into the Allegheny River at full speed. I will miss you dropping socks and balls into the pool this summer so that everyone would play catch with you.

You will leave me tomorrow 5/23/2011. My tears are non-stop and my heart aches thinking of you being gone. Play free and run hard at the Rainbow Bridge my love and wait for me so we can be reunited again....Love you - Mama