Milo

by Lanie
(Liberty, MO, USA)

Milo is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog/Border Collie mix, and is approximately 2-1/2 years old.

I adopted Milo from a shelter here in Missouri.

I was not looking for a dog like Milo at all when I decided to adopt a rescue. I already have a 13-year-old male miniature dachshund. Since my husband died, my dachshund, Louie, has aged considerably and has much less energy these days. I was looking for an adult female miniature dachshund as a companion for Louie.

However, one glance at Milo, and his incredible eyes that seemed to look deeply into my soul, and I was hooked. So I came home with the opposite of what I was looking for: I adopted a large, long-haired, young guy whose shedding I am just starting to get used to.

Milo is awesome. I can't believe I got so lucky to have adopted such a well-mannered dog from a shelter. Milo has had some obedience training, and was already housebroken and well-socialized with people and other animals. He has only recently discovered toys, and his favorite is his tug rope. He is so smart and learns so quickly. (In about 15 minutes I had taught him to "high five" with one paw.) He is learning to "give" when he brings the rope or a ball back to me after I throw it. When spring comes, I'm sure we will have lots of fun outdoors with frisbees.

Milo is extremely photogenic, and that is why I am entering him in the photo contest. He loves to have his picture taken. All you have to say to him is, "Milo, are you handsome?" and he poses--his ears perk up and he looks directly into the camera.

In the three months Milo has come to live with me, I have learned how well he communicates with those incredible eyes. He knows just how to "say" what he wants with his eyes.

He has been evaluated to become a therapy dog. We begin training next month, and I am really excited about it. Not only will this be a rewarding thing to do for others, but it will be a healing activity for me, as well, as I lost my husband two years ago and my healing has been slow. Milo has helped both me and my doxie, Louie, to start to come out of our depressions.

We live in Liberty, Missouri, just outside Kansas City, Missouri.

I hope you will consider Milo for your contest, and I hope I have included everything you need. Please let me know if you require further information, and thank you for this opportunity.