Oscar - One of the Most Optimistic Dogs I've Ever Known

Oscar, freshly back from getting his haircut on
our front doorstep. Sept. 30, 2026.

The house is unusually quiet. It's been a couple of days since we said our final goodbyes to Oscar, our family dog of 16 years. In the last two to three weeks he couldn't really even bark, and he slept a lot through the day, so it's not that he isn't here to fill the noise. He just had a presence.

He may have been a small dog but he was a big personality and part of our lives. Particularly in his last year, where he just seemed to be determined to have his say when he wanted to let you know you were required to help him stay on his schedule, breakfast, lunch, playtime, dinner, and, in his last few months, even expected to be tucked into bed (he started going to bed at about 9pm-ish on his own accord but would wait for me to follow him to bed).

People often asked what breed he was? When his fur was cut short you could see the King Charles Spaniel. When it was long, he had more of the Poodle/Shitzu vibe. He was a mix of those three.

Kind of a great combination for a house dog because he didn't shed fur but he did need a haircut every few months. Not just to keep him cool but also because he loved to roll in the grass, a lot. The longer the fur, the more grass would find it's way into the house. 

Oscar. Bringing the outdoors in since 2010.

Oscar and I on a day out at Chalk's Camping
grounds. The one day I decide to wear my
favorite coat, that I rarely get to wear,
Oscar shows me up with a coat he
rarely wore too. Photo: Enigma.

After 16 years there are so many memories. I wouldn't say he went everywhere with us but if we could factor him into our plans for a day out or a holiday, those were really exciting times for him - once he was sure we'd driven too long to drop him off at a kennel. 

He wasn't a fan of being dropped off at a kennel at all but I think he was fine once he was there. Particularly once Clancy Dog Boarding Kennels & Cat Boarding Cattery opened several years back (2018-19 maybe?). We were one of their early customers. Highly recommend if you're in the region.

Oscar has made many cameos in this blog, in my skateboard videos, on my Facebook page, and more. Occasionally he even 'bark bombed' my animation tutorial videos when his scheduled playtime was about to start and I was trying to record a lesson. 

Early on, he was a very sociable dog when it came to other dogs in the park. He loved to run and play chasey with the other dogs. One time he was off lead with eight to ten other dogs in the park, and he was making every effort to get every dog involved in his games of chasey.

However, as a younger dog, being off lead, he was pretty good, unless he'd sniffed out any kind of food someone may have dropped on the ground. While I may have got him past it, and a long way, heading back toward home, he could suddenly remember there was food, and about face and make a beeline, back to where that food was. No amount of calling would slow him down.

Oscar and Bailey mid play fight.

When Bailey, our English Cocker Spaniel, rescue dog, came along, they became friendly rivals. While Bailey was nearly twice his size he didn't always win, particularly in a tug-of-war battle for a toy. Oscar was always very persistent.

Aside from following a plate of food out of the kitchen Oscar's favorite thing was large green fields of grass, or the beach, where he could run and roll around in grass or seaweed. He did like paddling in water, except at the beach, where he prefered to play chicken with the sea more so than actually being in the water. Weirdly, as he got older, he didn't like going outside after it had just rained because his feet would get wet.

A little known fact is Oscar was a skilled 'blink' dog. Like Batman he could be right next to you and, in a moment where you took your eyes of him, he'd 'blink' himself impossibly far away, maybe even out of sight, while you still thought he was right next to you.

He could also hide in the shadows at his own peril. On more than several occasions I've tripped over him, not knowing he was there. It's surprising he wasn't injured more than a bruised bit of pride.

I could probably go on listing random memories but I'll finish up with copies of mine and Enigma's Facebook Rememberance posts, and then an old 2013 video of an Oscar/Bailey epic battle.

Oscar is one of the most optimistic dogs I've ever known. He loved life, and seemed to always make the best of it, even despite his health issues in his final years. R.I.P.

TET Facebook Post for Oscar

Oscar and his Sheep Toy.
October 2025

Said our final goodbyes to this little man today. Oscar. 16 years young.

This image and video [see FB link for the video - photo was taken at the same time] is from just over a year ago when Oscar was already 2 years past his 'best before' date after being diagnosed with lymphoma and given 3 months to live. 

Ever the optimist he would continue to bring the garden indoors, one coat full of grass clippings at a time, while making sure his current favourite toy was chased down and licked daily - I don't know, he just spent ages licking them until the squeaky bit fell out.

At this point in the video he still loved to run, but his back legs weren't as good with the turns, so I tried to keep him running straight with wide turns. He was still able to run relatively well, up until a few weeks ago, when he felt inspired to chase a magpie out of the yard.

Anyway, Oscar's most important role was following every plate of food out of the kitchen, and reminding us that he was generously sharing whatever food was on those plates with us.

Some days this task would start early - who knew a toaster could also be a dog's alarm clock for breakfast. 

I often thought it would be amazing to be as happy as an Oscar following a plate of food at dinner time. I swear his whole body smiled.

He will be missed and always remembered by us. A big personality who, on occasion, even had complete strangers checking in on him, if they saw me out on a daily morning walk without him. 

Enigma's Facebook Post for Oscar

Oscar on Enigma's Lap.
Photo: Enigma

Sixteen years ago, Oscar made his presence known in our lives. Sixteen years later, I held him in my arms as he drifted off to sleep.

He was a little dog, but he certainly made himself known. From barking at me to tell me it was time to cook tea, to staring at David until he got up from the chair so Oscar could sleep on it, he ruled the house in the best possible way. There was a bed in every room, and each day revolved around him.

Oscar was David’s little shadow, following him everywhere and letting him know exactly what was expected. He had his own routine, and David had to stick to it—walks, meals, treats, bedtime, and everything in between. If David dared to be late or change the plan, Oscar soon let him know he was in trouble. There was no arguing with Oscar; David simply learned to fall into line.

Over the last couple of weeks, it was hard to see how much he was struggling, but he was still our buddy—that huge presence in our home. We will miss him so much.

I keep waiting for him to come wandering into the lounge, looking for food. Our house feels so quiet without him, but the love he brought into our lives will stay with us always.

Epic Battle Video - Oscar, Bailey, and TET - July 2013

This video captures a lot of Oscar's early enthusiasm. It has him with his favorite toy at the time. Then you see how competitive he is with Bailey. Never staying down and knowing he's safe under a chair but not staying there because... it's Bailey. Finally you see Oscar turn on me to stop filming and join in (I guess I thought his attempts to get me to move were kind of funny). There's a good chance I probably did get up and join in after this but I don't remember. Looks late in the day and close to dinner time.

Epic Battle - Oscar, Bailey, and TET