A story of sniffing, snoring, and spiritual enlightenment (courtesy of a stubborn beagle named Otto)
I used to think I had life pretty much figured out. Wake up, drink my tea, go to work, pay bills, repeat. I had great friends, my amazing now husband, and even a few thriving houseplants. Life was full, but something was still... missing.
Something with floppy ears, a nose like a heat-seeking missile, and a personal vendetta against every squirrel within a 10-mile radius.
Then came Otto: our beagle, our chaos coordinator, our four-legged therapist in a fur coat. We didn’t find Otto; Otto found us. And from the moment he trotted into our home, snorted at the rug, and stole a slice of cheese off the counter, life was never the same.
Otto quickly became more than a pet, he was our sidekick, our partner in mischief, and unexpectedly, our collective life coach. When we brought our newborn son Cliff home for the first time, Otto tiptoed around him like he knew something sacred had just arrived. He sniffed gently, gave one approving snort, and parked himself beside him like a tiny, floppy-eared guardian.
From that moment on, he took his role seriously, ever watchful, always nearby. As Cliff grew, so did their bond. Otto taught him about loyalty without saying a word and stood patiently through toddler tail-pulls. Watching them grow up together has been one of the sweetest gifts we never knew we needed.
Let me tell you a few things Otto taught us about love, loyalty, and life, because believe it or not, that little rascal might just be the wisest member of our family.
💛 Love: The Beagle Definition
Otto’s Love: No Boundaries, Just Snacks and Snuggles
Let’s get one thing straight: Otto’s idea of affection is about as subtle as a bulldozer. He’s not the type for gentle nuzzles or quiet cuddles. No, Otto’s love comes at you full force, like a tidal wave of fur and enthusiasm. If you’re on the couch, he’s practically sitting on top of you (especially if you have yummy snacks). And if you leave him alone just to step out to go to the store? Get ready for a reunion that’s more dramatic than a reality TV show finale.
The Uninvited Guest at Every Meal
When it comes to food, Otto has absolutely no shame. Breakfast? Doesn't matter if he had his already; he'll be sitting there with those big, soulful eyes, silently begging for a bite of whatever I’m having.
But that’s what love looks like in Otto’s world: constant presence, always choosing to be by your side, even when you’ve just spilled food all over the floor (because secretly he's hoping that'll happen so he can clean up the mess).
The Kind of Love That Never Leaves
Otto doesn’t care about my mood or whether I’ve had a productive day. Every time I walk into the room, his tail starts wagging like he’s won the lottery. His love doesn’t come with conditions, it’s pure, simple, and completely unfiltered.
And maybe that’s the lesson. Otto doesn’t do love in pieces. It’s whole, it’s messy, and it’s a little slobbery, but it’s always there. Every single time.
🐾 Loyalty: The Ride-or-Die (Emphasis on Ride)
I used to think loyalty meant always being there for someone. Otto redefined it for me: it means never leaving their side... even if they’re just going to the mailbox.
I once tried to sneak out of the house for five minutes. Five. And there was Otto, I could hear in the background howling away, like I had joined a biker gang and was never coming back. The betrayal in his eyes was Oscar-worthy.
But his loyalty isn’t just about being physically close. It’s emotional too.
🧠 Life: Beagle Wisdom for the Modern Human
You haven’t truly lived until you’ve watched a beagle gleefully roll in something that smells like death while locking eyes with you as if to say, “This... is joy.”
Otto lives in the moment. He doesn’t care about emails, deadlines, or whether his Instagram posts are doing well (though let’s be real, he is very photogenic). He chases butterflies like they owe him money and naps like it’s his full-time job.
Lesson 1: Sniff everything
Otto sniffs every inch of the world as if it’s brand new. A bush he’s passed a thousand times? Still worth investigating. The neighbor’s sump pump in the summer? Highly suspicious. Life, to him, is one giant mystery worth unraveling, one smell at a time.
From him, I’ve learned that wonder is everywhere; you just have to slow down and pay attention.
Lesson 2: Forgive instantly
One time, I accidentally stepped on Otto’s paw. He let out a dramatic yelp that made me feel like the worst human on the planet. I apologized profusely (yes, out loud), and within 10 seconds, he was trotting by my side like nothing happened.
Dogs don’t hold grudges. Otto forgets and forgives faster than my husband loses keys (sorry, Calvin lol). It’s a lesson I didn’t know I needed: let things go. Life is lighter when you’re not dragging old baggage around.
Lesson 3: Nap like you mean it
I’m convinced Otto is secretly 67% pillow. The boy can sleep anywhere. Couch, floor, you name it! And when he naps, it’s not casual. It’s a full-body commitment, with snoring that rattles windows.
His naps remind me that rest isn’t laziness, it’s a necessary part of being your best self. We’re all better humans (and beagles) when we take the time to recharge.
💬 Unexpected Conversations with Otto
Obviously Otto doesn’t talk. But I swear this dog communicates. He has different barks, grumbles, and sighs for different moods. If you’ve never had a beagle sigh dramatically at you because dinner is two minutes late, you’re missing out.
Sometimes, we don’t need advice. We just need someone to sit with us, tail wagging, ears perked, and remind us that we’re not alone.
🧼 The Messy Bits
Don’t get me wrong, Otto’s not perfect. He’s chewed through our door frame, our son's toys, eaten a big piece of chocolate cake (luckily he was fine, phewf), and vomited multiple times on our carpet after we realized dehydrated fish treats don't agree with him (10/10 would not recommend).
He barks at ghosts, steals and secretly eats earplugs like a criminal mastermind, and has selective hearing that kicks in only when we yell "Treat!".
But here’s the thing: love, loyalty, and life are messy. And Otto embraces the mess without hesitation. No filters. No pretending. Just full-on, tail-wagging, mud-covered authenticity.
He reminds me to laugh when things go wrong (even on those days that are frustrating), to get back up after the zoomies knock me over, and to never take life or myself too seriously.
🐶 The Alpha Armor Connection
Otto's taught me a lot, but one of the most practical things? The importance of being ready for adventure.
That’s where Alpha Armor comes in.
Otto wears our heavy-duty collar like a badge of honor. It’s durable enough for his wild country zoomies, water resistant for his creek-diving tendencies, and tough enough to survive his “dig until I reach China” missions.
The right gear helps you live the wild, messy, unforgettable life your dog thinks you already have.
🐾 Final Thoughts from Otto (probably)
If Otto could leave you with a few words of wisdom, it would probably be this:
- “Chase big dreams (and squirrels).”
- “Love with your whole butt, tail included.”
- “Take naps like no one’s watching.”
- “If something smells bad... roll in it anyway.”
- “And never, ever pass up a snack.”
Life with Otto isn’t always clean or quiet, but it’s full of love, loyalty, and moments that matter. And honestly? That’s more than enough.
Here’s to all the dogs who teach us what truly matters. 🐶💛