pet adoption

Otis, the Guardian of the Pack

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Groff Media 2024© Truth Endures IMDbPro

Presented by benandsteve.com By: Benjamin Groff II©

3–4 minutes

From the moment Ben and Steve walked into the shelter, Otis knew they were his people. It wasn’t just how they crouched down to his level. It was the warmth in their eyes and the promise in their voices.

“You’re coming home with us,”

Steve had said. Otis had wagged his tail so hard he nearly toppled over. He vowed then and there to be the best protector any family ask for.

Life in his new home was nothing short of paradise. Otis had a cozy bed by the fireplace, more toys than he can chew, and an endless supply of love. But what truly mattered to him was his duty to keep Ben and Steve safe. He took it upon himself to investigate every rustle in the bushes, every knock at the door. No leaf dared to blow towards his masters without Otis standing his ground.

Otis’s vigilance, nevertheless, had its challenges. After one too many encounters with a growling Otis, the mail carrier learned to toss packages from a distance. Neighborhood passerby’s hoped drop off leaflets and country club newsletters. They were met with a flurry of barks so fierce they often retreated before reaching the door.

Things came to a head one sunny Saturday when their neighbor Marlene, visited. Otis had met her once before and didn’t trust her an inch. She was too loud, animated, and far too close to his people to his liking. When Marlene leaned in to hug Steve, Otis darted between them, barking his warning. Steve scooped him up, carrying him to the laundry room for a “time out.”

“Otis, you need to relax,”

Steve said, his voice equal parts exasperation and affection. Otis stared back, unconvinced. Who would protect them if he wasn’t on duty?

During one memorable stormy night, Otis proved why his protectiveness wasn’t just a quirk—it was his calling. The wind howled, rain lashed against the windows, and the house creaked under the storm’s force. Otis lay at the foot of the bed, his ears perked. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the backyard.

Ben and Steve bolted upright. Otis was already off the bed. He growled as he raced to the source of the noise. They found him at the patio door. He barked furiously at a tree branch. The branch had broken off and slammed into the house. While it wasn’t an intruder, Otis’s readiness reassured them that no danger would catch them off guard.

Over time, Ben and Steve learned to appreciate Otis’s protective nature and quirks. They worked with a trainer to help him distinguish between threats and friendly visitors, but his fierce loyalty never wavered. Otis accepted his ‘time outs’ with dignity. He understood that even the most dedicated guardians needed to let their pack relax occasionally.

Otis knew one thing for certain in his heart. Ben and Steve had rescued him from a lonely life. He would spend every day making sure they were loved, protected, and never alone. His love for them was as deep as the ocean, and his loyalty as unyielding as the mountains.

You can welcome a pet into your life if you have the love and resources. Reach out to your local animal shelter. Explore adoption if you’re ready for this commitment. Before taking this step, make sure your heart and home have plenty of space. Your budget should also be ready to support a forever family member. A new family member is waiting for you!

Otis’ Second Chance

BenjaminLeave a comment

A Story By Benjamin Groff© Groff Media 2024© Truth Endures

Despite the unbearable desert heat, Otis, a small white and tan dog with soft, sad eyes, bravely limped along the cracked streets of Mesa, Arizona. The sun beat down on him relentlessly, but he refused to give up. Abandoned on the outskirts of town, with nothing but the scorching pavement under his paws, every breath he took felt heavy, every step harder than the last.

He didn’t understand why he’d been left. One minute, he was curling up in the backseat of a car, and the next, the door swung open, and he was pushed out, and the car was speeding away. Otis had waited by the side of the road, panting and confused, hoping they’d come back. But they never did.

Days passed, and Otis grew weaker; the desert offered no relief, just endless heat. But fate wasn’t done with him yet.

At a local rescue center, George and Henry, an older couple known for their kindness to animals, were sitting at home when they got a call. They hadn’t owned a dog since Shooter, their beloved companion, had passed away three years ago. Shooter had been their family, filling their lives with joy and unconditional love. But when they lost him, the grief was so deep they couldn’t imagine having another dog.

Yet, the call they received from the rescue center had them thinking. Animal Control officers found the dog, who would be named Otis, wandering the streets, desperately needing a home. Could they come and see him?

When George and Henry arrived at the shelter, they saw Otis—thin and weary but with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. It reminded them of Shooter, of how he looked at them when he needed comfort. Without a word, George knelt beside the dog, his hand gently resting on Otis’ head. Henry stood beside him, his heart swelling at the sight.

Despite his weakness, Otis leaned into George’s touch, a silent acknowledgment that he was safe. In that moment, a bond was formed, strong and unbreakable. It was as if they had known each other for years, not just a few minutes.

The decision to bring Otis home was not a difficult one. George and Henry knew Otis needed them, but they hadn’t realized how much they needed him. Losing Shooter had left a hole in their hearts, and while Otis could never replace him, he had a way of healing parts of them they hadn’t realized were still broken.

Back at their home, Otis quickly settled in. George would joke that Otis had chosen them just as much as they had chosen him. The dog followed them everywhere, always by their side, as if he couldn’t believe his luck—he had found a family, a real home, where he would never get abandoned again.

As the weeks went by, Otis grew stronger. His coat filled out, his energy returned, and he thrived under the love and care George and Henry gave him. They’d take him on long walks, though always in the early mornings or evenings to avoid the brutal Arizona sun. Otis loved their little garden, where he’d chase butterflies and curl up under the shade of a tree, a far cry from the harsh desert streets where his journey had started.

For George and Henry, Otis brought life back into their home. The house felt warm again, filled with the sounds of paws on the floor and the happy panting of a dog that finally knew he was safe. They talked about Shooter often, his memory always present, but now there was a new energy and chapter that Otis had helped them begin. His joyous presence filled their home with warmth and happiness.

Otis may have started his life alone, abandoned, and lost, but in George and Henry, he found something special—a family who had also been waiting for a second chance at love.

In the cool evenings, as they sat on their porch with Otis at their feet, George would smile at Henry and say,

“Shooter sent him to us, didn’t he?”

And Henry, with a soft nod, would agree.

“I think he did.”

The End.

‘Jiggers’ Journey

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A Story By: Benjamin Groff© Groff Media 2024© Truth Endures

Jiggers, a scruffy little terrier mix, never thought he’d find himself alone on a dusty country road. He had always been a good dog, or so he thought, despite the odd quirks that seemed to annoy his last owner. Jiggers had a habit of wallowing in the grass until he was covered in bites from yard bugs, which made him scratch and twitch endlessly. His owner, frustrated by Jiggers’ seemingly strange behavior, finally decided he had enough. Without a second thought, he opened the car door, shoved Jiggers out, and drove away, leaving the confused dog staring after the disappearing taillights.

Jiggers stood there for a while, his ears drooping as he tried to understand what had just happened. The sun was high, and the heat made the road shimmer like a mirage. Jiggers looked around, his nose twitching as he sniffed the unfamiliar air. He didn’t know where to go but knew he couldn’t stay there. He needed to find shelter before nightfall.

Not too far ahead, Jiggers spotted a farm with a large red barn and a farmhouse nestled among fields of tall corn. His tail wagged with hope as he trotted toward the house, his paws kicking up small dust clouds. The farmhouse looked like a safe place; maybe someone there would be kind enough to give him food and a place to sleep.

As he approached the porch, a heavyset woman with an apron tied around her waist stepped out of the house. 

Jiggers wagged his tail even harder, hoping to win her with his best puppy-dog eyes. But the woman’s face twisted into a scowl before he could even reach the steps. She grabbed a pan of water on the porch and hurled it at him, the cold liquid splashing across his fur.

“Get out of here, you mangy mutt!” 

she shouted, her voice harsh and unforgiving.

The woman’s cruel act left Jiggers shaken and confused. He couldn’t understand why she was so mean. All he wanted was a little kindness, but it seemed that wasn’t something he would find at the farm. The injustice of it all was palpable.

With his spirits dampened, Jiggers kept moving, his legs growing tired as the day wore on. He followed the road, unsure where it would lead him but knowing he had to keep going. After what felt like hours, he heard the sounds of children laughing and playing. His ears perked up, and he quickened his pace, thinking the kids would be friendly.

Jiggers rounded a bend and saw a small group of children playing in a yard. They were throwing a ball back and forth, their laughter filling the air. Jiggers barked happily and ran toward them, hoping they would let him join the fun. But as soon as the children saw him, they screamed and scattered in all directions. A stern-looking man came out of a nearby building, waving his arms and shouting.

“Get out of here, dog! You’re not allowed on school grounds!”

he yelled.

Jiggers skidded to a halt, his tail tucking between his legs as he realized he wasn’t welcome there either. He didn’t understand what he had done wrong. He was trying to find a place where he could belong. But it seemed like everywhere he went, Jiggers got met with fear or anger.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. Jiggers was tired, hungry, and more than a little scared. He had been alone for five hours, and the world seemed much more significant and scarier than he had ever imagined. He remembered watching television with his last owner, seeing shows where animals were left out in the dark, facing all sorts of dangers. He didn’t want that to happen to him.

Jiggers kept walking, his paws sore from the rough pavement. He didn’t know where he would sleep, but Jiggers knew he needed to find somewhere safe. As the last rays of sunlight faded and the sky changed to purple, Jiggers spotted a small, abandoned shed at the edge of a field. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

He squeezed through a gap in the door and curled up on a patch of dry straw in the corner. The shed was old and smelled musty, but it was quiet and hidden from the world outside. Jiggers rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes, trying to push away the sadness in his chest. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, he was safe, and that was enough.

Jiggers may not have found a new home that day, but he hadn’t given up hope. He was being a dog, and sometimes, that was all he could do. 

As he was about to drift off to sleep, a farmer entered the shed for a tool and saw Jiggers. The farmer was kind, got down on one knee, and called to the tired and frightened pup. Saying, –––

“You will be quite the surprise for the Misses. She’s been mightly lonely since Beau passed away. It is like you just got handed to us. Can we call you Lucky?” 

And, just like that, Jigger’s tail began wagging, and his life changed; plus, he went from being named for what someone thought was weird about him to what someone thought was the best thing in him!

The farmer picked up Lucky, cuddled him in his arms and carried him to his truck and together they rode to a new home where his new life would be full of love and pampering.

As you read his story, remember that you can make a difference in the lives of abandoned animals. Your support and care can improve their stories.