Ozzy: The Dog Who Accidentally Retired a Runaway

Technically Ozzy is not a sibling but try telling Noah that. In 2021 Noah discovered his new hobby: escaping the house. Alarming for us, thrilling for him. We tried GPS trackers, but Noah always outsmarted the gadgets. Enter the service dog plan. After paperwork, deposits, and an endless wait, Ozzy arrived in June 2022.

Ozzy is a 100-pound golden doodle, big enough to anchor Noah and trained to track him if he bolted. He also came with skills like sleeping beside Noah, attending doctor visits, and being his built-in best friend. Ironically, once Ozzy moved in, Noah decided he was done with eloping. Classic Noah.

Instead, Ozzy became Noah’s shadow. After school Noah only wants two things: his cars and his dog. At bedtime, Ozzy has no choice but to be snuggled, grabbed, and “petted” with all the gentleness of a linebacker. Somehow, Ozzy never flinches. His eyes occasionally beg for witness protection, but his loyalty never wavers.

Even Ozzy’s bed is not safe. We will all be watching television and Noah will wander over and plop himself down on the dog bed. Ozzy does not growl, or even flinch, he just moves aside like he knows it is Noah’s rightful throne. Ozzy does get his revenge though; I have found them more than one morning with Noah on the floor and Ozzy snoring happily on his reclaimed bed.

Even a trip to take out the trash requires Ozzy on a leash. We are not sure if Ozzy is protecting Noah or Noah is protecting Ozzy, but either way the duo works. And for that, we adore him.

Noah and Ozzy: Partners in crime, only one of them signed up for it.