Departing from his usual show’s content, ESPN’s Scott van Pelt’s show took a solemn turn.

Back in 2020, when the world was suddenly plunged into individual isolation, many people found ways to continue working from home.

The more creative and strange ones were people in the news, weather, and sports. Instead of their usual screen-littered backgrounds and special effects, they all found themselves making smaller studios within their homes.

Van Pelt was one of such reporters.

He transformed a spot in his home to be his studio and went to work just like anybody else. And much like those with pets, van Pelt’s studio had a regular audience.

Sitting on a leather couch that van Pelt described as a worn-out catcher’s mitt is an old dog. He is Otis, and he is van Pelt’s best friend.

Otis became a regular in his show during the pandemic.

And as we are transitioning back to our usual routines, Otis also says his last goodbyes. An emotional yet stoic van Pelt started his show but this time, he featured the soul that was with him over the years.

They got Otis just weeks after their wedding. He described Otis as some sort of training wheels for couples like them who were just planning to start out a family.

Otis proved to be a reliable companion – even more so, a reliable brother.

Van Pelt described Otis’ loyalty to his family as akin to a gentle protector. No matter how much his kids pommeled and climbed over him, Otis never bared his fangs nor growled at them.

He might’ve complained at some moments but van Pelt knew that if someone tried to hurt his kids, Otis will rip out that person’s arm.

Van Pelt admitted that even when he saw other tributes, this was the only time he understood how it felt.

He recalled coming home late at night where he’d sit in the darkness of the kitchen. Then, he’d hear the clacking of nails against the floor. Otis would then emerge with his tail swinging and whirling like a helicopter.

Van Pelt shared that Otis would gently nudge his knees asking for treats and love, and van Pelt was more than happy to oblige because he said he has plenty of both.

As he shared their moments together, van Pelt began to cry.

And we cannot blame him. He shared how lucky we are, as pet owners, to be on the receiving end of such loyalty and unconditional love.

“Nothing we do could earn what our dogs give away to us for free.” He said in his show. “That level of love and loyalty. And so many of you know what I’m talking about.”

The tribute he made for Otis was profound and heartbreaking.

But despite that, van Pelt remained grateful for having the chance to love someone as Otis. He said in the show that he’s thankful that Otis was theirs and that they were Otis’.

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

“But if this hurt is the cost of the transaction for being on the receiving end of a mighty love that I got to know from Otis the dog, then I’d pay it with enormous gratitude.”

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

It may be a loss, but for van Pelt, it was most definitely a life well-lived.

Watch Scott van Pelt’s moving tribute to Otis.

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Source: YouTube – ESPN, ESPN, Twitter – @notthefakeSVP