Otto-bot: The Snuggle Machine

Exactly one year ago today, I adopted Otto (then Hank). At the time, I knew I was finally ready for my very own dog, but I had a laundry list of requirements, with a hypoallergenic breed topping the list. After several weeks, I began to think I was searching for the Holy Grail of the dog world, the perfect dog. My parents kept urging me to talk to breeders, but I had seen many purebred dogs go through APR and knew eventually one would come along that would need the home I could provide. At last, I met Otto. When we took him outside, he just kept smiling and smiling and smiling at me with his crooked teeth and those silly, floppy bangs over his eyes. I couldn't leave without him.

Though he was found as a matted stray and never claimed from animal control, it's obvious that Otto was once part of a household. I will never understand how anyone could have let or put such a wonderful dog on the street. He was housetrained from day one (wahoo!). After some extra doggy-proofing to curb his mischievous streak, he has free run of the apartment while I'm away. He has to know where I am at all times when I'm home, but doesn't so much as make a peep when I leave. He gets along with most dogs we meet, even my sister's shih-tzu Oscar (the Grouch), but especially loves people. I brought him to a basic obedience class, where he quickly learned sit, down, come, leave it, shake, and rollover. Since then, I've taught him crawl and a stupid pet trick my roommate and I made up called "Otto-bot, Transform!" where he stands up and walks on two legs (supposedly like a Transformer autobot). He loves his food, long walks, snuggling, and any toy that squeaks. He's very cle
an and keeps all of his toys in several "forts" or "man caves" throughout my place. Some days he comes to my office with me, where he's been adopted by my boss and coworkers as our research group's unofficial mascot. My family also adores him. When I am busy with studies and research, he is content to lie at my feet or in my lap while I work. He always finds new ways to entertain me and always makes the vet and vet techs laugh. The words most often used to describe him are "well-behaved," "awesome," and "cute" – I've even had people stop their cars to tell me how cute he is or yell it as they drive by! Maybe he's not quite perfect, but I think he's perfect for me!

Thanks so much for rescuing Otto. I can't imagine my life without him now. He's much loved by me, my family, and many other people. I am looking forward to many more years with him, and wish APR many more years filled with many more happy tails!
-Emily L.