Diamond Otto is a girl’s best friend

DEAREST Otto, You are so lovely and funny and you always find a way to make me laugh. They say that there is no such thing as perfect, but that’s rubbish: you are the most perfect thing in the world.

You would never judge me, and you have a heart of gold. I don’t know how I would get by every day without my little white fuzz ball sitting in the middle of the garden, or getting ambushed with kisses and cuddles every time I come in the door. You are always very trustworthy and I can tell you everything. And though sometimes you can get a bit naughty, we will always love you.

I will probably have to read this out to you, seeing as you’re not always good when I try and get you to read something! Yep, I can just see it. You, sitting in your tartan basket, chewing your tennis ball, not taking in a word I say. Me, sitting beside you, the Sunday Independent in my hand, reading to you while petting you. You don’t even care if you can’t understand, you’ll just smile away and pretend.

You were alone and scared when we found you as a small one-and-a-halfyear-old pup in the DSPCA in Rathfarnham. You were out on the streets before you were taken to the dog shelter. Then two days later, we came and met you. As soon as we saw you we knew that you were perfect for us.

You have been with us for about a year-and-a-half now — and I cannot imagine life without you.

Nobody knows your true breed, because you’re a mix of Tibetan Terrier, Westie, and a lot of other stuff. But that makes you even more special.

You’re very lively during the day, but at night you’re a real couch potato! You have a habit of taking Mam’s Ugg boots to lie on — so we only need look on your mat when they go missing.

You love going to Mass with Mam and saying your prayers on her lap, and going for walks with Dad, and listening to music.

Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend never had a dog — because I’ll never find a better friend than you. Thank you Otto. Your bestie forever, XXX

Ava C Mulcahy (aged 11), Shankill, Dublin 18

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