Moss, Mist, and a Little Bit of Magic

“Otso” Means Bear
And in the soft bog light of Uath Lochans, this 11-month-old Finnish Lapphund puppy certainly looked the part—plush-coated, curious, and utterly at home among the mossy lochs and ancient pine forest.

The Loch, the Light, and the Bog
We didn’t head up into the hills for this one. Instead, we stayed down by the lochs, where the terrain is soft, saturated, and occasionally... ankle-stealing. (The bog nearly claimed one person that evening.) Thankfully, Otso was far more graceful, navigating the wet earth with the ease of a seasoned Highland explorer.

A Calm Pup with a Big Personality
What stood out most was just how calm and attentive Otso was for such a young pup. He listened beautifully to his mum, Valeria, and was a complete delight to photograph—alert, patient, and relaxed even as we ducked around tree trunks and squelched through the moss.

Why Otso Was Chosen
Valeria says he was picked from the litter for being “the most active pup,” but Otso’s energy is wrapped in a goofy, deeply connected personality.

“Otso loves to play and learn new things,” she shared. “He is a social butterfly who does not understand why he cannot say hello to every single dog he sees.”

Emotional Intelligence in Fur Form
“He is a very sensitive boy who always knows how I am feeling… definitely on the same wavelength with me in every moment and a reflection of me in every day.”

We saw that sensitivity during our time together. Between moments of high-spirited bounding, Otso would check in, ears pricked, eyes soft, fully attuned to his surroundings—and to Valeria.

Otso’s Home Life: Silly, Sweet, and Sassy
While Otso posed like a seasoned pro in the bog, his mom related that his real quirks come out at home. Valeria told us he “loves his upside-down sleeping position in the weirdest places—such as against the cupboard corner.” His favorite toy? A Highland Coo he insists on taking everywhere. And on early mornings, she says, “He sits next to me on the sofa with the saddest seal face… ears disappearing… and asks for cuddles.”

The Cat Who Stole His Heart
Otso is also deeply in love with his older sister—a Siberian cat who, despite his best efforts, remains firmly uninterested in his play invitations.

Otso may not have won her over yet, but he certainly won our hearts.