It’s hard to lose any loved one, whether they are human or animal.

And it’s especially hard when the loved one you lost was a big part of your life.

Otis was everything to his owner.

Otis The Dog is 10. Bath and a frosty paw already today. Slow down, big fella.

His health hasn’t been the best of late. We are grateful he’s still with us to celebrate. I will spoil this good boy rotten today, and all his days. pic.twitter.com/4EQntT79Gw

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 10, 2021

ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt recently lost his first child, his dog, Otis.

Otis was a staple on his show.

A lot of One Big Thing viewers knew Otis because, during the pandemic, when the hosts broadcasted from their homes, Otis was a staple on Scott’s screen.

Anywhere Scott went, even if it was only to write his script for the show, Otis was right behind him.

And anytime Scott went on air during the pandemic, Otis was clearly visible behind him on his worn-out leather chair.

Scott announced that Otis passed away.

“Crushed to share that we had to say goodbye to Otis The Dog. Truly the most special friendship and bond of my entire lifetime. He was an absolute King. Love on your good boys and good girls with all your might – every day that you can. There aren’t ever enough of them,” Scott wrote on Twitter.

Crushed to share that we had to say goodbye to Otis The Dog. Truly the most special friendship and bond of my entire lifetime.

He was an absolute King.

Love on your good boys and good girls with all your might – every day that you can. There aren’t ever enough of them. pic.twitter.com/uzSPjnLEtV

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) April 27, 2022

Otis arrived in his and his wife’s lives shortly after they got married.

He was a “training wheel” before they had children and make sure they can “take care of something and keep it alive.”

And it was tough training for all of them because Otis had so many health problems and surgeries but he did survive.

They jokingly called him Otis the Bulletdodger.

Unfortunately, there was one tumor that had Otis’ name on it and he couldn’t dodge it anymore.

A necessary tribute

Because Otis became a big part of One Big Thing and its viewers, Scott felt it was right to share his tribute to Otis on the show.

His team said Scott was going to cry when he wrote it and said it on air and Scott said, ‘Then I’m doomed.’

“I don’t know what in my life has made me cry like this, such profound sadness over a love that was so damn pure,” Scott described.

Scott shared that his mom was offended when he said no one loved him the way Otis loved him.

She said nothing can match a mother’s love for their child and he asked her a question that cut her short.

Had she ever been mad at him?

With Otis, he would be cross with Scott when he went away for trips but Otis always forgets this feeling when Scott comes home.

Scott said he didn’t understand the tributes he read in the past that people had for their animal companions until now.

And he still had to explain to his children why they won’t be seeing Otis anymore.

Otis loved these children.

His human sister and his human brothers. He was constantly there for them and he never got cross with any of them.

He’d protect these children with his life.

“If this hurt is the cost of the transaction of being on the receiving end of a mighty love that I got to know in Otis the dog then I’d pay it with enormous gratitude. Because even though I’m crying, I’m just so happy he was ours, and I’m so happy that we were his,” Scott shared.

He was the King of our home.

Honor him.

One Big Thing.

See you after the draft. pic.twitter.com/sDyWBpJ706

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) April 28, 2022

See the heartfelt tribute Scott held for Otis to his millions of fans in the video below.

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Source: YouTube – ESPN, Twitter – Scott Van Pelt