Where’s Otti?

03/13/2026

Omg!!!!!!!!!!! The happiest ending, he found his person

Ottie Update 🐾

Many of you know Ottie by now — our big, goofy shepherd mix who has been part of the Coming Back Home Rescue family since 2024. For those who don't;

Ottie was found wandering the streets in Ohio before we realized he had a rough background with a less than ideal home. In and out for years that even the local shelter knew him by name. After making contact with his "owners", they surrendered the dog into the rescue.

Like so many dogs that pass through our rescue, we hoped his stay would only be temporary. He met potential adopters, had interest, and even tried a few opportunities… but life had other plans. Or, perhaps I should say, HE had other plans.

When he escaped a Foster-to-Adopt home, he ended up back at the rescue on his own while we were driving around, looking for him. By the time we got back with heavy hearts, he was waiting by the door...

After everything he’s been through, I made the decision that Ottie isn’t going anywhere anymore because, let's be honest, even if I dropped him off somewhere, he's going to show right back up on his own. 🤷

Sometimes rescue doesn’t end with adoption — sometimes it means making sure a dog always has a safe place, people who care about him, and a life filled with comfort and love. That’s exactly what Ottie has here.

The good news is… he seems pretty happy about the arrangement. Even if he signed his own paperwork and paid in clumps of fur.

These days Ottie spends his time doing the important things in life:

• Supervising the rescue operations
• Sticking his head in couches searching for long-lost toys
• Perfecting his “handsome shepherd smile” for visitors
• Reminding us daily that he is, in fact, a very good boy.
• Managing play groups.

He may not be looking for a home anymore, but he will always be one of the most loved members of our rescue family.

So if you stop by and see a big shepherd mix acting like he owns the place…

That’s Ottie. And honestly?

He kind of does now. 🐾

(With the biggest indicator being the fur. It's everywhere. Why is there so much fur!?)

04/04/2025

Our boy is looking for a home!

12/26/2024

Baby boy is doing so good. His roaming was from separation anxiety and they say now he enjoys staying home. I guess it’s true that he wasn’t treated great and that’s why he wanted to leave

Ottie is one of the many dogs in our care that spent Christmas with us. He was able to experience the joys of having a family for the Holiday... Yet, never understanding we're not his forever family.

This boy likely never knew what it felt like to be in the presence of family as he's been on the streets for almost three years. The people that were supposed to take care of him just left him to fend for himself day in and day out. It was such a common sight to see him on the road that he even had a FB Page dedicated to him called Where’s Otti?

Now that the Holidays are over, let's try to get Ottie into a forever home so he can go on one last adventure.

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OTTIE
3 Years
Neutered Male
GSD (Mix Unknown)
62 #

Kid Friendly
Dog Friendly
Cat Friendly

Crate Trained
Potty Trained
Good Leash Handling
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Ottie is an amazing, flexible, family dog who has a good balance of energy. With the right friends, he shows a goofy side that could make anyone smile. Ottie does well with most dogs but will pick his true friends wisely. Those who don't make the cut, he tolerates without giving difficulties.

He's a great listener who has some training. Ottie is also great at communicating. When he needs to go outside, needs water or something else; he will bark to grab your attention. We are still working on to determine which means what - but, he will settle once we figured it out.

He has done well in public settings including parks and dog-friendly businesses but may become anxious if the area is too busy. This is a really great, easy dog for most families. He's been amazing at CBHR.

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While Ottie has a history of escaping and being on the road, it has determined it's been triggered by separation anxiety. Don't panic.

1. Ottie will be anxious starting out and will likely be a flight risk. However, the seperation anxiety starts to settle after about a month and the desire to run becomes non-existent as long as he's bonded with someone. We have small, knee-high, x-pens for part of the fencing and he will NOT try to escape anymore. He WILL jump if Betsy is bullying him so he can go p*e in the front yard then come back.
2. Ottie knows how to open windows and doors because he's so smart. While that behavior is less of an issue later on, having an escape-proof kennel is a must. Since we got ours for him, he settles nicely without anxious behaviors (more times than not).

Contact us for questions.

You can find my form "Adoption Application" at: https://form.jotform.com/243184639148060

Out of State Adoption Eligible (for prepared applicants)

12/03/2024

The rescue that has Otti. I started reading about them and want them to get some likes for all the work they do.
Appreciate rescuers so much
Coming Back Home Rescue is Northeast Ohio

"We're bringing them back home."

Saving lives from euthanization all over the United States and placing them in forever, loving homes.

12/03/2024

The adventure continues with our favorite rolling stone
Our mascot is available for adoption in Willoughby, and they just said “he doesn’t try to run away anymore”
Maybe he’s happy 😊

Thanks for following all these years everyone, this story could end so great 🙏
https://www.facebook.com/share/15PKeU5Bxw/?mibextid=WC7FNe

05/04/2023

Liz Hillier-Salley hey it wouldn’t let me message you, but could you let he owners know that next time Otti is loose, I have people arranged to take him.
He needs a caring family and we found one!

05/04/2023

returntonow.net

05/04/2023

Just want to make my last post clear that Otti didn’t cause physical harm to anyone. He seems more flighty than fight. Him being at my house daily has affected my life to the point where I can’t even keep my own pets at my own home anymore.

05/04/2023

Otti almost died today.
This isn’t funny anymore. I need to speak with the owner if anyone can help.

04/26/2023

Where you at, Otti?

04/23/2023

Looks like he’s on the run again