Adopting Milo

Can we keep him?  My eleven-year-old daughter Maddi was holding a tiny Malshi aka, Shih Tzu-Maltese mix. 

I still don’t know what was cuter, the puppy or Maddi’s eyes of excited hope. 

Both of my kids eagerly informed me that he was free, and the owners had already paid for all his shots and neutering.

At the time, I traveled a lot.  If not for work, for bike races.  Not the best schedule for a pet owner.

Looking at my kids’ faces; I chose not to go to battle.

Milo had a lame tail. This required human intervention every time he pooped or his tail would act as a loaded paint brush randomly used on the floor and furniture.  When he was old enough to be neutered, we had the tail amputated. The free puppy was now a $1,000 puppy.

The kids joy for Milo was only exceed by Milo’s joy of the kids coming home. Milo’s spastic dance of excitement is nothing short of Beatle Mania. A pure joy to witness; however, I’m glad he outgrew releasing his bladder during the dance. 

I did not want a pet when we adopted Milo but I have never regretted doing so.  Had I known what the experience of love for and from Milo was going to be, I would have paid $10,000.

– Geno Gruber