I’ve been putting off this post because I couldn’t get through it at first. I got home from China on the 18th and my dad called me to let me know that they had to put Otis down. I was a mess and just needed some time to deal with it on my own. Anyone that knew Otis or even just heard my family talk about him knows how much love we all had in our hearts for him. The world just seems a little less bright now that he’s gone. I’ve been thinking of all the memories I have of him though and it helps so much.
I remember going to pick him up over 14 years ago. He was the tiny little runt of the litter. We brought him home and introduced him to our bunny, Buster. He was smaller than our little bunny and he kept running into the mirrors at the front of the house because he thought it was another pug. His tongue used to stick out because it was too big for his head. I remember bringing him to Larry’s ice cream and sharing my cotton candy cone with him. He used to do this howl when I’d come home. I’d throw my arms up in the arm and howl and then he’d howl right back. We’d go back and forth for a couple of minutes before I’d move the gate and start playing with him. He used to try to eat my scrunchies when I was in middle school. He was successful in swallowing a couple of socks. We bought him a bunch of stuffed animals but he only had eyes for his hedgehog toy. We were probably up to hedgehog the 20th or something. He’d bite hedgehog’s nose, throw him around, and then sit and groom/lick him. My dad would sit at home with him and they’d share snacks. Otis was always right there if you were getting something out of the fridge. He used to do this crazy running back and forth thing between the two couches in the living room. He also loved to lick the leather. My mom hated when he’d do that. When we had to give him a bath, it was the saddest thing ever because his little cinnabon tail would unwind and go completely straight down. If I was in my room doing anything, he would always come in and lay down to keep me company. He loved walking all over everything though. There’d be a ton of floor space but he had to walk right on whatever you were trying to clean, fix, or put together. He would circle around on the floor before laying down or around the coffee table before jumping up to the couch. My dad joked that he was as crazy and OCD as the rest of my family. When he got a little older and was hesitant to jump, I started “Otie -up-up”. I’d pat the couch and say it and when he was done with his coffee table circles, he’d put his front paws up and I’d lift him up the rest of the way. He was quite the TV critic. Always barking at random points in the shows. He’d always scratch our legs at the dinner table and would go around to all four of us to get fed. It’s amazing that he never went over 30 pounds the way my dad fed him. I loved getting down on the floor with him and chasing him around the living room. My dad always called me Otis’ number one playmate. We loved trying to put clothes on him. He ran in circles until his devil costume fell off on Halloween one year. We sort of gave up after that. But he looked super handsome in his little green shirt that my mom bought him for when it was cold. When he was going blind and needed surgery, my parents spent a lot of money to make sure he’d be able to see. My dad said he would never let my sister or I go blind, so why should his son be any different. We gave him the best life we could and he was the biggest blessing we had. We were all so lucky to have each other.
The morning I left Florida to come back to LA this past December, I ran into my parent’s room to say goodbye to Otis. Kyla and I woke him up since we had to leave so early. I took his face in both of my hands and I told him how I loved him so much. That he had no idea how much. Then I kissed his little mouth and gave him a little scratch behind the ears. He loved those so much. It feels like a part of me is missing but I have such amazing memories that will stay with me always. Otis will forever be in my heart.
Jessica and Keiko have been in town the past few days. Keiko is here for the People’s Choice Awards and Jessica just came to hang out a few days before our China trip. I still can’t believe we’re going. It will be about 20 degrees, give or take, in Beijing, but I’ve packed every last one of my sweaters. I think everyone else is more worried than we are. Almost every trip of ours has been in the winter. We’re seasoned veterans at this whole bundling up thing. Hopefully we won’t be mistaken for prostitutes this time… oh, Vienna.
About to board the plane for my China trip. Pandas, dumplings, and a fairly large wall are in my near future. I can’t wait to have my passport completely full from all my travels. Wish me a safe trip!
I was really worried about going home this year for Christmas. I mean, I was extremely excited to see my parents and Otis, but not sure how I would handle the new living situation. My parents sold the house I had lived in since I was 12 and bought a condo in a neighboring town. I’m pretty sensitive and sentimental, so I was just waiting to see how I handled the change.
The second I walked through the door and saw Otis, it felt like I was home. A lot of the same pictures still hung on the walls. My world view that I must of drawn when I was 6 (Pony was a continent to give you an idea) as well as all my baby and graduation pictures. My dad’s records and Cd’s were all in their places on the bookshelves. My parents were both there with arms wide open, excited for me to be home.
My best friends and friends of the family all kept asking how I liked the new place. My answer was always the same: “I love it. It feels like home.”
Hearts, Kimberly Grace
Outfit Details: Vintage dress - Guvnor’s Vintage Carriage heels - Seychelles Rings - Gift from Keiko and TJ Maxx Earrings - Warped Tour vendor
This was my midnight view last night from Hard Rock. Having to work was a small price to pay for getting to be home for Christmas. Even with the little hiccups throughout the night.
Dear 2012, 2011 was pretty good to me. Let’s make this year even better. Hearts, Kimberly Grace
The tree fell over and I had to put all the ornaments back on that didn’t break. My mom keeps blaming Otis but I told her he would never do such a thing… Although his curly little tail says otherwise. It definitely gets caught on the lights when he walks around underneath the tree. But shh! Innocent until proven guilty, right?
I’m definitely posting more Nashville pictures as I sit in my parent’s condo in Florida. For as much as I love LA, I enjoy my little trips away even more.
Christmas is upon us and I’m so happy that I did my holiday shopping early. I only have a couple more gifts to get/make but the bulk of it is done and I’m stress free. Love this feeling. I get to see a couple of my best friends tomorrow, including Keiko and Jessica, so it’s already set to be a great day. I’ll also be making zucchini bread and spending some more time with my little Otis. I love Florida at Christmas time.
I’ve been in such a mood today. I have no idea why. I think it’s my level of productiveness… which is at about a zero. But my laundry is in the dryer and the Christmas lights are up so that’s a start. Only took me the whole day to get here. Oh well. I did get news today that I’ll be working a special Hanson event this weekend at work and to celebrate, I listened to Snowed In earlier. SO good. Don’t judge!
The rest of my evening will consist of Papa John’s pizza with my roommate, making some gifts/bows, and just organizing my room. Well, it’ll hopefully consist of all of that. Who knows. Today might just be a wash.
Unrelated note: These pictures are from Nashville and I would like to be back there right about now. Please and thank you. Thank God for my Florida trip coming up. I need a dose of my parents and Otis.
Hearts, Kimberly Grace
Outfit Details: Sweater - thrifted ($3) Jeggings - BDG Theory Boots - Seychelles (Borrowed from Keiko) Necklace - Sea of Bees Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk - c/o Urban Decay
These are the two prints that I bought at Unique LA two weekends ago. I’m in absolute love with them. I want an entire wall in my bedroom to have art from different friends/ independent artists. My friend, Betsy, gave me my first piece for this collection. It’s a blonde girl with a swirled green background. The cheersing ice cream cones from Kyle was the second addition.
The first picture above is from Nan Lawson. I first saw it on my friend’s wall and then I lurked out the etsy shop, saw that they’d be selling at Unique, and the rest is history! The unicorn was an unexpected purchase from Badbird. I came across Andrea Zuill’s booth and fell in love with this little guy. She also had a narwhal that I almost bought. So freaking cute.
My next purchase will probably be something from Danny Brito, although I’m having a hard time choosing which one. I think I’ve narrowed it down to Lady Gaga, There’s No Place Like Home, or Hansel and Gretel. Now I just need to start finding frames!
