Otto’s Little Drama

Around ten o’clock tonight I set out for a walk around the neighborhood with Eika, my German shepherd.  Otto had to stay home this time; I learned the hard way early on that when its 15 degrees outside we don’t get very far before Otto needs to be picked up and carried under my arm like a football the rest of the way.

Intensely stubborn and determined to come too, he apparently cried and clawed at the kitchen door until Andreas, my Swiss Boarder, let him out.  Andreas thought Otto really needed to do some big business out there, and would return freezing in 30 seconds as he always does this time of year.  This time though, Otto bolted out of the yard at a hundred miles an hour until he disappeared into the night.  Andreas was frantic.

I knew none of this.  I was on a blissful walk with Eika, taking note of how the streetlights made the snow sparkle like old-fashioned Christmas cards.  I had my warm coat, she had hers, and she had a large fireplace log in her mouth which makes her appear ridiculous but she seems to think more highly of herself for walking a ten pound log in her jaws for a mile or two.

When we arrived home, Andreas met us at the door, asking if we knew where Otto was.  I told him he was probably in Christian’s room under a warm blanket but Andreas told me no, Otto took off 25 minutes ago and hadn’t been seen since.

Before the worry could build in me, I turned around to see Otto trotting back to the driveway from the street, with a Syracuse University Public Safety cruiser right behind him.  Oye.  What kind of trouble did Otto get into now?

Officer Ed Babcock was on routine patrol when he spotted Otto in the road, all alone, trying to hold his little feet off the snowy ground.  I knew then Otto had tried to catch up to Eika and me because that was the route we had taken.  Officer Babcock was afraid Otto would freeze to death out there and tried to grab him, but Otto was quick and stayed beyond the officer’s reach.  That’s when Babcock had an idea.

Familiar with dog behavior after 25 years with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department and 5 years at S.U., and the owner of two dachsunds himself, Babcock knew if he frightened Otto, Otto would probably run home, which he did, with police escort, lights flashing and all.   Otto was running all over the street so Babcock turned his lights on to clear a path for the freezing, stubborn, wayward dog.

I was heartened, relieved and slightly embarrassed by all the fuss caused by this five pound dog not much bigger than a squirrel.  Little dog.  Big trouble I always say.

Thank you, thank you Officer Ed Babcock of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety.  You are one of the good guys and a great reflection on your force.  You had no idea how long your “wild” ride would last tonight, but you followed that little dog up the hill and through the little alley of this quirky old neighborhood to find my house and now the dog you saw freezing in the road is safe and warm and hogging Christian’s bed where he belongs.   Merry Christmas Officer Babcock!

Otto you little trouble maker !

On another topic, my friend M.C. Antil has a unique business, placing telephone calls as “Santa” to good little boys and girls.  M.C. grew up in Syracuse, worked in local theatre,  and now works as a freelance writer in Chicago.  He’s been making Santa calls for nearly two decades.  His ad is on my website if you’d like more information.

Tagged as: cold weather, dachsund, dog, police