Neighbors complained about an anxious dog’s nonstop cries — until his kind owner’s note on their doorstep left them speechless
A simple note can hold more weight than a dozen conversations. When Emily Hanson decided to give a neglected dog a real home, she didn’t expect the biggest hurdle to come not from the dog’s past, but from the quiet walls of her apartment building. Her journey with Otto, a Shih-tzu who had spent most of his life in a cage, began with love and hope. But before Otto could learn to be free, they had to face how his trauma echoed beyond their front door.
As reported by Newsweek, Emily Hanson, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, first met Otto in June 2024. The tiny dog was estimated to be around seven years old, having spent those years in a puppy mill. Hanson remembered his first day vividly. “[He was] so anxious that he didn’t sleep,” she shared. Even when he rested, it came in “very small increments.” The fear of plates, bowls, and new spaces revealed just how much Otto had endured. By July, she officially adopted him. “I’m so proud of him and the progress he’s made,” Hanson said. “His Shih-tzu personality shines now, and he learned to go down steps and go in the grass.” But right as Otto was learning to live, Hanson received a handwritten note from her neighbors. It said Otto “has been pretty loud” and “seems to be anxious” when she was gone.
The letter wasn’t cruel. It was calm and to the point. “Wanted to make sure you knew about it, and get your pup feeling okay and comfortable when you’re gone from the apartment. Thanks, your neighbors,” it read. But to Hanson, it felt like a punch. She knew about Otto’s separation anxiety from her pet camera and had hoped it wouldn’t affect the lives of others. Living in a building with nine other units meant every sound carried. “I pretty much knew every dog-friendly bar and restaurant in the Columbus area,” she said, but she still had to leave Otto for work. The note forced her to think not just about Otto’s healing, but about the community around them, too.
Instead of ignoring it, Hanson decided to act. She bought Starbucks gift cards for everyone on her floor and for the neighbor living directly below. Along with them, she included handwritten notes about Otto’s story of seven long years inside a cage, thanking neighbors for their patience and explaining how she was easing his fears. While she never found out exactly who wrote the note, several neighbors responded with kindness and understanding. Over the next twelve months, Otto slowly changed. The barking faded and the panic softened; now, most days, Otto sleeps peacefully next to his blind rescue brother, Milton.
Hanson’s efforts didn’t stop at her building’s hallway. She also shared their story under her TikTok handle, @miltonandotto, to shed light on dogs who survive puppy mills. Her recent post about the neighbor’s letter drew immense attention from internet users. “Everyone, for the most part, is supportive and proud of Otto for being such a champ,” she said. “I hope we are helping to educate people on the horrors of puppy mills, but also the strength and resilience of dogs. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch Otto thrive.”
You can follow @miltonandotto on TikTok for more videos.