In May 2010, I walked into Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods, IL, and saw a quiet, shy guy sharing a kennel with two other dogs. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Early the next morning, I was standing outside the shelter before they even opened, ready to bring him home. When I saw another family looking at him, I didn’t hesitate to let them know: he’s mine.
For more than sixteen years, Milo was my constant, my gentle shadow, and the best companion I could have ever dreamed of.
He was there for so many chapters of my life. He filled a space when Kelsey was off at college and helped celebrate her wedding. He held my heart through the loss of my parents and through a divorce. And when I met and married the love of my life, Milo happily welcomed Jeff as his dad.
Milo was the ultimate, well-traveled adventurer. He lived everywhere from Vernon Hills to Chicago, and the Wisconsin Dells to Toronto, before finally making Carefree, Arizona, his forever home. He was as comfortable flying first class and taking cross-country road trips as he was living the city life. He went on boat rides, motorcycle rides, RZR rides, and even endured a couple of bicycle rides (though he made it clear those weren’t his favorite).
He was full of hilarious, unforgettable quirks. He loved being an “outside dog,” rolling around in cool grass or the absolute smelliest mud he could find. He inexplicably loved getting shocked by static electricity — little weirdo. He once got into a bar fight in Wisconsin, and later sat like a refined gentleman at the bar of our favorite brewery in Toronto.
Through every move, every loss, every joy, and every new beginning, Milo was the sweetest, most gentle soul.
For 18~19 years, Milo lived a most amazing life, and he will be loved forever. 🐾❤️