Otis isn’t your average hound. For the first year of his life, he wasn’t chasing tennis balls or getting belly rubs—he was stuck in a laboratory, subjected to toxicology testing. His early days were filled with fear, isolation, and pain.
But everything changed when the Beagle Freedom Project stepped in to rescue him. (Yes, he’s not a beagle—but bigger dogs like Otis are used in different types of testing.) After bouncing between foster homes, Otis still struggled to adjust to a normal life. That’s when Robert entered the picture.
Having just lost his own dog, Robert offered to foster Otis, not knowing his life was about to change too. “Fifteen minutes on the couch and I knew,” Robert said. “He wasn’t a foster. He was family.”
Since that moment, Otis has become a symbol of healing. He’s a beach lover now, sprinting through the surf and basking in the salty breeze. “The ocean represents freedom,” Robert says, and for Otis, it’s the opposite of the sterile, silent lab he came from.
Though loud, high-pitched sounds still make him anxious—likely due to his time in the lab—Otis is thriving. He has routine, love, and someone who’s always there for him. He’s calm. He’s confident. He’s finally living the life he deserves.
Robert and Otis now spend their days spreading awareness about animal testing and showing what true compassion can do.
Otis’s story is proof that love really can undo a lot of damage. Know someone who needs a reminder of that? Share this story with them 🐾