Central Okanagan

Photo: RCMP

Yes, I am smiling.

After turning 70 (in dog years) veteran police service dog Otis # 648 aka "Otis The Smiling Mountie" has retired.

The happy go lucky chocolate brown labrador turned in his long leash and protective vest this August, marking 9 years of dedicated service with the BC RCMP as a drug sniffing dog.

Otis was posted to the Southeast District Traffic Services between 2003 to 2012, working the corridor highways of the Interior region of BC. Otis worked with two dog handlers during his career, Cst. Claude Brisebois followed by Cpl. Ryan McLeod. All officers who had the pleasure to work with Otis always remarked on his friendly gregarious personality.

With numerous successful and lawful drug and other contraband seizures under his collar, 10-year-old Otis also had his fifteen minutes of fame last year, when caught mugging for the cameras after one particular drug bust. The photo earned him the nickname of Otis The Smiling Mountie. His smiling picture burned up the Internet and in working dog publications around North America. Not one for fame though, he took it all in stride and was just happy to get to play with his toy later that day.

Photo: RCMP

Meet the new recruit.

"All our dogs that serve as police dogs are incredibly dedicated, one could say obsessive about their work, they are truly amazing and a joy to work with," Stated Cpl Ryan McLeod. "He is a great dog and I wish him good health and lots of play time in his retirement years."

Otis finished off with some last training duties while imparting some wisdom to the new recruit, Police Service Dog Jett # 845.

"Other then occasionally spilling my coffee in our cruiser he was a great partner," chuckled McLeod.

Otis headed off last month to his new home with a loving family on a Southern Alberta Farm.

The RCMP also added a line about upping their social networking in their press release, "Please join us in sending him all our best wishes via e-mail or share and like on our FaceBook page BC RCMP News and retweet via Twitter @bcrcmp or @SoutheastRCMP, we’ll make sure Otis gets your message."