Otis

Let's get one thing straight... Brycen loves his pupper-dog, Otis.  They just have a very unique "love-hate" relationship. When Brycen was a baby, Otis didn't pay much attention at all to Brycen.  There were plenty of times where Otis would sit next to Brycen or play with him.  Overall, Otis likes his own attention and went through some serious withdraws when a baby came along.

First picture of Otis when we picked him out of the litter

Otis getting some love from Dad

Otis will be 6 years old here in a few days and we've loved *nearly* every minute of it. I've put this post together for Otis and his evolving relationship with Brycen.

Otis begging for attention while Grandma Blanchard plays with baby Brycen

Ruf-fur-ee Dog

Burke & Otis cuddling on the couch - when Otis was still occasionally allowed on the couch

Engagement pictures with Otis

Bird Dog

One of the first pictures of Brycen & Otis

When Brycen was first born, he didn't enjoy much of the crying but always seemed to know where the baby was.  Otis sure went through a phase where he wanted more attention.  Up until March 2011, he was an only child.

Brycen & Otis "trapped" behind a baby gate

As Brycen began to become mobile, Otis would avoid him because he would often be subjected to poking, hair pulling, and torture.  Brycen never started out the relationship as a cuddly, brotherly love.  Instead it was a rough, tough, and sometimes mean relationship where each were jealous of each other often.

Spending time outside together and throwing sticks

Now Brycen yells at Otis and gives him more commands than Burke and I do.  They're beginning to love each other a little more.  Brycen sure has taken on some responsibility by feeding Otis when he's hungry, letting him outside to go potty, and putting him in his kennel before we leave the house.  He also likes to pester him with "trigger" words like: rooster, pheasant, turkey (I'm not sure if Otis knows what this word is), ice cube, and bone.

Brycen pestering Otis with his "whistle." 

It will be interesting to see how Otis and Brycen's relationship evolves when the new baby comes in March.  Otis already knows where he stands in line as he is often told to go lay down or get his bone.  

Otis camping out among the chaos of Brycen playing around in the basement.