Word from the Editor

Milo, Forever in my Heart

By C. Ron Allen

On March 20, I celebrated another birthday.

Only two days later, I got a call that my best friend of seven years, Milo, had to be put down.

The doctor had been treating him for intestine blockage over the past two or so months. But there was no improvement in his health. In fact, the pain got intense and he stopped eating and drinking

During her examination, the doctor found an abscess and scheduled Milo for oral surgery on May 22. But during the procedure, she discovered the lesions all over his mouth and made the recommendation to relieve him of his agony.

I was numb as I hung up the phone. It was the longest 17-minute drive from my mechanic’s shop in Boynton Beach to Banfield on Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach. Oh I wished and prayed for a miracle and that she had a change of heart.

As I waited in the room for the attendant to bring Milo out to me, I thought of the pain and hurt that awaited me. But I was comforted by the good times we had together.

You see, I recall the morning I was doing my routine jog, when this tiny, friendly Jack Russell Terrier approached me. It was as if he sensed m spirit and was asking me to take him with me.

The following morning, I saw Milo walking with my neighbor, Irma, and her dog, Baby. Irma shared Milo’s history – his master was the neighborhood’s alleged drunk, who also was an abuser. It was evident Milo would cringe whenever we jogged past his previous address. He soon mustered the confidence to know that “Big Poppa” had his back.

Though not enough, we spent time at the dog park. I would always promise him a return trip to the park.

I recall our 3-mile jog every other day. Whenever he got tired, as he sometimes did, Milo would stop. And there was nothing you could do to get him to continue until he was ready.

He was jealous, or maybe it was being protective of me. He would never let a female get close to me unless he liked her. For example, there was a police officer in my neighborhood who would jog with her dog. He resented her jogging near me. However, it was ok for her to stop

and talk to us while she was in her patrol car.

He was loving and intelligent. Whenever I was late getting home, he would be waiting at the door. But his greeting was not quite the same.  He often showed his displeasure, like the time I had Reserve drills and was supposed to return the following day to walk him. Well, I extended my trip an extra day and when I walked into our home, Milo had pulled the comforter off the bed, dragged it into the middle of the living room and did a number 1 on it.

I remember him looking at me as if to say, “That’s what you get for ignoring me.”

But he quickly forgave me and we made up as we went for our usual walk around the neighborhood. And we were buddies again.

I will miss taking him to Banfield to get his hair cut, his medical checkup or his teeth cleaned. Now that was a chore. I’ll also miss picking him up from the doggie hotel after an overnight or out-of-town trip.

Memories are all I have of him now.

Milo was not just my property he was family.

Milo, you’re gone but will never be forgotten my pal.