26 Comments

...and so my morning starts with tear-filled eyes. My best to you Dan.

Expand full comment

I'm sorry to to that to you, Mark. But thank you, and thank you for reading.

Expand full comment

A beautiful tribute, Dan!!

Expand full comment

Thank you, Matt. And thank you for the thoughtful gift - Tiny and I sure appreciate it.

Expand full comment

A beautiful ode. Sorry for your loss.

Expand full comment

That picture of he and Oscar, with Oscar's arms around him...

Expand full comment

And that was (if I recall correctly) within a week of bringing him home. Oscar took to him immediately!

Expand full comment

This is lovely. He plainly adored you. I’m so glad you found each other, and so sorry your time together had to end.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Jo.

Expand full comment

So sorry for your loss and thank you for this written love letter to your friend. We have an Orangie ourselves. Leo is 12+ years old, he is loved, he’s is cranky, he lords over his neighborhood, and he is getting thinner, older, and less adventurous. Thank you for this love filled ode to your buddy, as we begin our journey. I don’t know if I can find the words I need, but I found yours. As Ringo says, “Peace & Love.”

Expand full comment

Thanks, Bill. Give Leo a big squeeze for me.

Expand full comment

Dear Dan

So sorry to hear the news about Otis especially after sharing a wonderful weekend with you and Barney--Shannon’s uberloveable rescue dog. Otis was really and truly loved. Nothing more that anyone can ask. And how well I know the pain of those trips for tests and scans and worse. The very big and very Black security guard at Cancer Care where I go for grief counseling after Fran’s death, and calls me “Mister Irwin” every week when I arrive. I call him “Mister Oscar” and told him about your Oscar who he looks nothing at all like but I feel protected and welcomed every time I come through his revolving door.

We are all a part of the same mystery that at 85, I still don’t understand but as your original Daddy and not calling you “roly-poly” all can tell you is love is all there is that’s worth a damn. And though we pay a price for it that’s steep, it’s totally worth it. ❤️Dad

Expand full comment

Amen to all of that. ❤️❤️❤️

Expand full comment

Beautiful post. I'm so sorry about your loss of Otis.

Expand full comment

What a beautifully written tribute to your beautiful pet! They give so much to us. Fly high Otis and I hope you are dining on your favorite chow right now.

Expand full comment

What a great tribute to Otis, brought tears to my eyes. Sending you virtual hugs my friend.

Expand full comment

Thanks, my man.

Expand full comment

So sorry for your loss Dan, what a beautiful cat Otis was and your memories of him and pictures made me feel like I knew him too. 🙏

Expand full comment

Thank you Lisa

Expand full comment

Otis was a lucky little man to have you as his Dad. I’m so sorry for your loss. Otis was special!💚🐾💚

Expand full comment

Such a heartfelt tribute to Otis. Our pets are like a combination of our kids and our best friends. And our teachers. Especially for childfree people (like me, not sure if you have kids or not). I am a dog person, though love cats too. Otis seemed to embody many dog characteristics. Thanks for sharing your story and Otis’ story. I felt like I really got to know his unique love.

Expand full comment

No, I don’t have any kids - but you’re right, Otis was pretty dog-like in many ways… though not the two times we had to put a harness and leash on him for air travel, which he thoroughly despised! 😝

Expand full comment

Oh Dan, I'm so sorry about this... we did it in March for the third time and it was hard as always. I too am a cat dad and I get everything you wrote about your crew to the depths of my soul. It's tougher than we can deal with and yet we do, so that we can feel that good sweet feline love that is so unique

Happy Thanksgiving to yours

Expand full comment

Thank you. It’s totally worth the pain - which, considering how awful the pain is, is saying something. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, too.

Expand full comment

Dan, I'm in tears after reading this article! Love is all and I know it hurts when one of our furbabies leaves to the rainbow bridge. Blessings 🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️🫂💫😇🥺💙🧸

Expand full comment

Thank you, Ginnia. I really appreciate it!

Expand full comment