One Big Thing: Otis the King | SC with SVP

On SportsCenter, Scott Van Pelt pays tribute to his dog and faithful companion, Otis.
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[@bp7152]

“If this hurt is the cost of the transaction from being on the receiving end of a mighty love that I got to know in Otis the dog, then I pay it with enormous gratitude”.

[@Dell-ol6hb]

such beautiful words

[@cosmiccharlie1056]

Scott is a great writer

[@jimmy22334]

Best anchor ESPN have ever had by far. He doesn't rely on screaming to entertain.

[@zz-.-]

Literally best thing ESPN has produced. Right up there with the best of the best. Rest easy pup✨

[@francesrobinson615]

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@ryanlerman4401]

yup

[@eavensokolewicz7246]

Otis!! Hopefully you have endless treats and plenty of sports to watch. (SVP) Your dad is still killing it, we miss you bud. Rest easy bud!!!

[@Magucci13]

I still think the bat dog story is the best. I never not cry when I watch it

[@TheRugby23]

There's only one time that a dog will break your heart, and it's when their's stops beating.

[@allanritz5323]

Forty-seven years ago, my collie Lady passed away. There isn't a day that goes by that I do not think of her. The worst part is all the photos we had of her were destroyed in a flood. I an now 77 years old so my memory is not what it used to be. If there is an afterlife, I look forward to meeting Lady over the Rainbow Bridge. A vert touching video.

[@jeffreylindsey1757]

My condolences Sir! It's harder i think to go on yourself than watch a loved family member move on. That realm being Heaven i would hope includes Dogs. Think of this statement as comfort maybe "Never underestimate Gods ability to exceed our dreams" Saw that years ago on a church billboard. Hope n Faith is a beautiful thing. Godspeed sir....😊

[@bevmcmullan-kungl8089]

All those years ago you lost Lady and yet you hold those memories to your heart after all these years...she must have been some dog. You will see your, Lady, again. I'm sure of that. God bless you always...and Lady.

[@LyonsdenNC98]

There is an afterlife, and it will be glorious. You will see your fur baby again.

[@A1N2D3R4E5Y]

A lot of my loved ones dogs and cats are waiting for me on that bridge. As you, Sir, I only can hope we all will meet again... Good day to you.

[@Eclectic999]

Mr. Ritz, Wait until you see Lady again - all her friends will tell you that she’s been talking about you the whole time you were apart: how much you loved her and how very much she loves you.

[@bensmith6321]

The man is A+ with words. I'm hugging my 7+ year old now.

[@catneedham4913]

Same! My GSD Auggie, who’s having surgery tomorrow

[@ludabam241]

love that sweet baby as much as you can. I put down my sweet boy yesterday after 11 years and I can't describe the pain.

[@cosmiccharlie1056]

Absolutely man, fantastic writer

[@HughsReviews]

I feel this one. Lost my dog of 15 years back in October. She was with me through marriage, child birth, divorce, alcoholism, recovery, sobriety, and new love. She made sure I got through my hardest times and left when she knew I was gonna be ok without her. Doesn’t make it easier at all.

[@zz-.-]

So sorry man ✨

[@alexanderschembra141]

Yall crying over a dog. Boo hoo. My homeboy got murdered. My dad's dead. My homegirls dead.

[@lakersrdbest]

@@alexanderschembra141 We're talking about losing someone we love so quit the I had I've only felt loss talk man... You're with us here empathizing and we are all willing to hear you out like everyone else but don't undermine anyone's loss please and thank you.

[@zz-.-]

@@lakersrdbest well said. Never ever trivialize someone’s losses, ever. Ever. Less than human. Thoughts and prayers to all going through loss ✨✨

[@ermannosorricchiodivalfort4905]

that's beautiful right there, i feel you man

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Beautiful eulogy. Wish dogs lived longer. 10-15 years isn't enough.

[@internationalmanofmystery4285]

Thank you ESPN. Finally someone has been able to put into words what I have been feeling for the last 2 years.

[@CappuccinoZilla]

A wise woman at work saw me crying one day over my boy chance… and she stopped me dead in my tracks and said “John you would rather have all the happy memories with chance and a little bit of pain at the end, then to have never have met chance at all…” and that stuck with me to this day.

[@christianbradshaw7124]

This Pain is truly what I don’t wish on Dog owners. A man’s truly Best Friend that’s something untouchable right there

[@TonyPajamas24]

Facts

[@danielpabst4548]

Actually... I kind of wish this pain to every single pet-owner in the world, because...think about it...isn't the pain just the ultimate scale of how much you love your pet? And when there is no pain in the loss, was there any real love before?

[@catneedham4913]

Fabulous tribute. Really well done. Thank you for posting this. I’m bawling Also- my favorite quote: “Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong”

[@skw1rl]

On point 🤔❤️

[@RameyRocks]

Amen

[@eavensokolewicz7246]

Otis🤙🏻 continue to be great Sir! You will be missed.

[@rlh5870]

The love between a boy and his dog, priceless. I have done this three times, it’s doesn’t get easier.

[@JohnHausser]

“Dogs lives are too short.Their only fault,really” 🙏 Cheers from San Diego California

[@KevyKevshorts]

-Agnes Sligh Turnbull

[@SheevX66XPalpatine]

Scott Van Pelt- Poet. Lover of dogs. Preacher for the church of saint pupper. Ne’r has speech so eloquently shown the 50,000 year bond we share, with our best friends.

[@mborjon1009]

“The cost of transaction,” I’ve been trying this last year to put into words what you’ve so eloquently have done. I miss my four-legged friend Jack. I’m very sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace Otis.

[@gfear24]

For some reason, it always hurts more when you lose a dog than it does when you lose a close friend or family member. Dogs just provide unconditional love. That doesn't exist in people. I think that's why it just hurts more.

[@jopet216]

No tears when I lost my grandma and dad. But when my first dog passed, I was a wreck. Only time my wife saw me cry.

[@anthonyrobinson2163]

Exactly Cats also. Lost mine a month ago.

[@andrewmiller4116]

Yeah it’s so strange but absolutely true

[@retiredtidepodeater3339]

@@jopet216 Thanks for letting us know you're mentally ill. Dog nuttery is a disease in this country.

[@brianmeddings2870]

I can't believe my allergies kicked in while sitting at my desk inside and listening to that.............I'm not crying, you are!

[@KevyKevshorts]

“The truth of the matter is that the only thing our dogs have to do to take up this much room in our hearts and in our souls…is be ours. “ Instant tears

[@garyalexander7306]

I literally watched this, teared up, and of course my dog came over to cheer me up. So glad for this segment. We all feel your pain

[@brandonlizza9402]

“I guess I’m doomed. It’s alright.” - Scott Van Pelt

[@wvuwhat]

Having to put down my dog was worse than losing my Dad. It sounds bad, but it's true. Thank you SVP for this piece. I have all the feels.

[@juanjuanson8533]

This genuinely made me cry. I can’t imagine ever losing my dogs.

[@Charlie-mm4wc]

Fly high Otis 👑. Sorry for your lost.

[@jfoxx5291]

The feels, 😭 and I'm a cat guy with 2 of them. Got me crying at work, I can only imagine. Beautiful piece though

[@Andrew-wb2zq]

I just lost my cat. Dogs, cats... the pain is just truly profound to lose a family member that was by your side every day. Ugh.

[@thelonerwill7518]

Got me tearing up in this Walmart man😭😭

[@DeeNice2023]

Facts

[@taylorsmith2812]

Been there buddy! Watched the whole thing even though I didn’t want to just to honor your dog. I don’t care how famous you are, you’re still a stranger to me, but you words were on point, spoken like a true friend. We may not know each other, but the “cost of transaction” connects us!

[@Oxford322]

This was the most beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy I’ve ever heard

[@nategomes1719]

🔥💯Scott I’ve grown up watching u every night on sc of course a few others. I’m sorry for your loss. And your family’s. That piece was moving.

[@SteelersNationAustralia]

Dogs are mans best friend... always hard to lose them😢

[@adamaizenberg756]

I lost my lil guy last Christmas still hurts

[@hirolla74]

Beautiful tribute. I recently lost my dog of 11.5 years back in Jan 2024. I get it that there is that empty feeling when you come home and that furry friend is not there to greet you.

[@brentsutherland]

I found this segment while going through the recent grieving process of my best (animal) friend of 11 years. Thank you so much for sharing. It’s such a pure, real and unfiltered tribute. Our society doesn’t know how to properly address pet loss. This hits the nail on the head. Have never posted a comment to a story here but this is the best segment ESPN has ever aired.

[@chrismorgan6917]

This one hits home with so many of us, SVP. It’s one of, if not the hardest things in life because there’s such a strong connection in such a short amount of time. It’s not fair. They bring light to dark days. Love when there’s hate. Comedy when there’s tension. Loyalty when when you’re wronged. They just seem like perfect beings and we love them so. It never truly gets easier, but the memories outweigh the anguish.

[@bensmith6321]

I lost my dog today, completely devastated! I can't move

[@vulcan542]

So sorry bro... I know exactly how you feel! It helped me (many times) to think of all the good times we share with our pups! I still have one left but my last girl died 4 years ago... I think about her everyday!

[@tamikas6519]

I am literally struggling to leave this comment. My dog was also named Otis and he was the best good boy. People look at me funny when I say that dog was my soulmate but he absolutely was. The part that got me with every time he saw the suitcase. I often traveled for work and he knew in that suitcase was coming out I was leaving and it was the worst feeling ever. The guilt I felt that I had to leave him when all he wanted was me. I have two children and I love them dearly but I agree there is no love like that of a dog. I miss him every single day. I now have a Chiweenie and we have a good relationship but it's not the same I love her but she will never be my Otis. My heart absolutely goes out to you

[@billjordan3639]

Anyone who looked at you funny when you proclaimed your dog was your soulmate either never had a dog or has no soul.

[@tamikas6519]

@@billjordan3639 I agree completely. Thank you for your thought.

[@danaphillips1592]

What a beautiful tribute he gave to his Otie Boy. The unconditional love of a dog is unlike any other feeling!

[@bethwoods3449]

Last June I lost my Nilly pup after 12 years. The best dog I could ever hope to have. For weeks I thought I could still hear the tag on her collar or her claws hit the wood floor when she would walk into the room.

[@Dillon__Morris]

Even with my antidepressants this broke me. My wife and my first dog is gray in the face and long in the tooth and watching him slow down is tough but I feel so lucky that we are able to give him the best possible life and he rewards us just by being there

[@RMTTR640]

I like you have lost my two beloved jack russel terriers....my boys traveled with me frank and george they have been to 48 and 49 states respectively...we had so many awesome adventures together...i like you miss them with all my heart i find myself still saying wait here ill be right back when i exit my semi....i know they aren't there it was what i always told them they were my two best friends and i will miss them for as long as i live .... Thank you very much for sharing your story and your love for your dog

[@slavyslav]

It’s been two years since I lost my childhood friend and golden retriever Abee. I felt this pain on a personal level. rest easy Abee. Thanks for being my best and only true friend❤️

[@michaelweitz29]

I'm not crying.... You're Crying!!!

[@BradleyShannon]

We all think we have the best dog, and none of us are wrong. Just came across this after watching John Stewart’s tribute to his dog. Lost my own extra-special Otis last summer, also cancer. Spent hours and hundreds on Stanley today when he had gastrointestinal distress. A year late, SVP, but sorry for your loss.

[@MarvinClay-ck7zj]

God bless you Scott.

[@jabman025]

I really wanted to walk through my TV and give SVP hug after I first watched this

[@Solidus__]

We don't deserve dogs, they are too good to us. I felt this SVP, sending you good vibes my man.

[@Wade9170]

I feel sad for those that have never known the love of a dog! I thought they were going to have to bury me when I had to bury my last dog. They are truly one of the family! I still miss him!!

[@eldudereeno77]

My dog and I had a moment after watching this. ❤️

[@JimmyMiramontes]

Otis and other dogs come here to show us a piece of Gods Love

[@mezzer99]

Nothing more to say than Beautiful.

[@lmack62]

I lost my dog over a year ago and it still hurts I miss you so much Blondie.

[@billslobotski6549]

I love your words. Your tears move to mine.

[@nilyed1]

Why can't they live forever 😭😭😭

[@kpopnoonnie3230]

Thank you ESPN for letting him do this

[@josephmarcel9546]

I am a fan of this guy Scott Van Pelt. One of my favorite Anchor.

[@janedoedashsevfivfiv9265]

Otis, the dawg.

[@jmack3411]

Dogs are so much better than people. Rest easy, sweet Otis.

[@derekthielen9220]

Thank you for this! We just lost our yellow lab of 14 years. There is no greater pain that this. We loved him all the way and he loved us back even more until his final breath.

[@alan-ferguson]

I was so touched by this that I posted it on my FB page May 3. I had no idea that just four days later my sweet dog Zeke would die in my arms at home. His illness came out of nowhere late on May 3, after I had share this. The vet tried everything she could. Sorry we're sharing our grief, Scott! I didn't cry this hard when my sister passed in September. there's just something about a dog's affection!

[@johnspigarelli8155]

I feel you brother! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Drawingve]

I have to hurry home to hug my Stella. This is beautiful❤

[@Maddecent30]

Long Live King Otis.

[@vectorhold6489]

Pets are family.. Period. He seems so well loved and lived like a king!

[@MrPlatanoMan]

Loved this.. this is what we need in the world authentic pure honesty no matter what the topic

[@HA-bl4hi]

We don’t deserve dogs. Purest souls ever

[@WorldwideWyatt]

Truly man’s best friend.

[@carloswithac]

It's too early to be crying. Rest in peace, Otis!

[@tommystefanek1065]

This is the most beautiful thing.

[@mtg610]

What a beautiful tribute. All of us pet parents feel your words so deeply. Rest comfortably Otis the dog.

[@Magi-Kell4Life]

You will cry at the drop of a thought of him forever, I still easily cry about my Sassy and rusty and they have been gone a long time

[@BackpackingFlorida]

I have never cared for your style on ESPN. Now, tho, I am a huge fan. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

[@blakeschmitt5174]

Very few internet videos have ever been able to make me actually cry. This one had me in shambles

[@Barfyman_362_]

Scott this was beautiful. I'm going to be absolutely devastated when my boy dies. I admire the strength and honor you gave to Otis for this tribute.

[@zaqtehattaq]

Made me miss my Lucy. His words are true.

[@paulmoonbear8989]

A wise man once told me,Heaven is every dog you ever loved running back to you.

[@Miguel-hi9oh]

Im not crying something just went in my eyes

[@rastarobinson9964]

Truly man's best friend!🐾💔💙🐾

[@tonybutcher4762]

I've got no Idea who you are, but your words make prefect sense.

[@lindaseverson5498]

What a wonderful tribute. He will be waiting for you on the other side. Wiping tears myself.

[@cbenson196]

Maybe the best thing ever written about our love for dogs

[@Theisnation212]

Sorry for your loss Scott. From everyone here in Baltimore, Rest In Peace ‘Oooutis’ ❤️❤️

[@BrandonKClark86]

I've never cried so hard

[@bevmcmullan-kungl8089]

What a lovely dedication to a beloved dog who was definitely man's best friend. This was very emotional not only to Scott but to the rest of us. To never have loved a dog is to never know love. This made me cry. Otis, where ever you are...I hope you are happy.

[@bobbywilliamson5866]

Otis is better place now this really hurts when we lost our dog it tore me up Otis will be missed but he'll always be remembered God bless you

[@OldCorpsEd]

Yes, I know the love and I know the loss.

[@andyj1266]

That’s maybe the best thing I have ever seen. Respect, SVP!

[@Gusserbean]

Thank you Scott Van Pelt. So well said. Wow.

[@josealferez6376]

I'm not crying...you are. 😢

[@justinrush6620]

Can relate so strongly. Cried. Ugh.

[@pambsmith]

Beautiful tribute. We lost our Ridgeback, Zullee, at the age of 14. Heart breaking.

[@JuanHernandez-pm7oz]

Rest In Peace Otis thank you SVP 🙏🏽🙏🏽💙

[@HighPlainsDrifter53]

I miss my pup too homey. God bless

[@chrispierdominici3891]

There's nothing like the love of a dog. It is pure, unconditional and unswerving and they give so much to us. For all they give to us, they take a part of us with them when they pass and leave a part of themselves with us. They are amazingly beautiful souls. If you're lucky, you will have one very special dog that comes through your life that you have a bond unlike other with, even if you've had other dogs before or after.

[@bretrickerson7049]

I lost my best friend, Meeko, to prostate cancer the day after Christmas this past year. I've lost friends and a parent. But nothing hurt me as bad as having to make that decision to say goodbye and holding him on his way out.

[@milesthomas5342]

I’m not crying, you are.

[@oAPXo]

The greatest pain he mentioned was coming home and seeing them, for years this is a dog owners routine... we come home from a long day, and when we get there we're greeted in a certain way. That norm is there and when we lose our beloved dog its still there, years after my Gizmo passed I still expect to see him outside in the yard, sun bathing for a few minutes before coming in and finding his spot on the couch. If you ever want to own a dog, remember that there will be a time you have to say goodbye, and you think you'll be ready for it... you won't. Your home will still have bits of them, a spot they sat/slept on, something will be there in that house that'll make you think of them. Thank you for this amazing video. This moment of sharing your life with Otis, he's at peace now, and we'll soon be there as well.

[@davidrapp9872]

Well said, everyone needs the Love a Dog, it changes you inside and outside, it makes you a better person.

[@lenak5337]

I’m so sorry. May his memory be eternal!🙏🌈♥️🦋🐾

[@gjriehl]

SVP, I don't know if you read these but I'm not an emotional man. It takes a lot to get it out of me. But whenever I need a cry, I throw on this tribute and cry the ugliest cry ever seen. I love this tribute and I love Otis (and all dogs). Thank you.

[@RameyRocks]

I know this exact pain and loss. Lost my Snoopy to cancer dec 3 2022 he was only 10. He was my soul dog and his death has been devastating. I miss him every minute of every day.🤍🐾🖤

[@masarutorito9870]

Such touching words. A love of one's dog.

[@peggygibson8158]

We love them and they love us back, and when they have to leave, it just hurts so much!