Milo, My Sweet Little Jack Russell Terrier
by Irene Roth
Last February 2022, my husband and I walked into our SPCA in Stratford, Ontario, hoping we would find a wonderful dog who would fit into our lives.
We are seniors and don’t have ample energy, so we knew we couldn’t get a puppy.
Neither could we take care of a large dog because we have a small home with an equally small backyard.
Yet, at our shelter there were back-to-back large dogs and puppies.
We had just lost Danie, our rat terrier, in December 2021, another dog we rescued from another agency.
We were lonely, and the house was so quiet.
We just knew we needed another canine companion to fit into our lives.
But we knew he needed to be just the right one.
I kept looking on the SPCA website several times a day, but for weeks there were no small, mature dogs.
We started wondering if we would ever get another dog.
But I kept hoping and praying we would.
I’m considered the hopeful one in our family.
Then one sunny, frosty, and snowy Thursday afternoon in February, I checked the website before I went downstairs to put my coffee maker on, and there was a little face I fell for.
Finally, there was a dog who was the perfect size and temperament (from the description) for us.
And that face was irresistible!
Milo
I showed my husband the description and picture of the cute little beige and white Jack Russell Terrier.
I called the SPCA within minutes and filled out an application to adopt him.
The SPCA called me right back, and we had an appointment the next day to see the little terrier.
As we walked into the SPCA on that cold and wintery February day, we were hoping he would be the perfect dog for us.
It didn’t take long for us to fall completely head over heels in love with this little fella.
The very first thing he did was walk up to me and lick my fingers.
Then he put his two front paws on my knees and his tail started wagging like no tomorrow.
I knew he liked me and felt comfortable with me.
I asked the SPCA attendants if we could take him out for a brief walk, just to see how he was outside.
He was so obedient and followed all my commands, even though he had only known me for a few minutes.
We adopted him right on the spot.
The next day, we brought him home.
And what a homecoming it was for us.
I have always rescued animals from shelters.
For the past 40 years, ever since I moved out on my own, I had cats from a rescue agency in Toronto, Ontario.
Then, after I moved to Stratford, Ontario and got married I continued to adopt cats and I’ve had four rescues over 30 years.
Therefore, rescuing pets and giving them forever homes has been an intricate part of my life for as long as I remember.
Our little Jack Russell was such a handsome boy when I came in to see him at the shelter.
His personality was also beyond wonderful.
He was obedient and had a kind and gentle way about him.
He was loving and even though he was high energy, I knew he would fit nicely with my cat Toby, another rescue from the SPCA.
When we adopted him, his name was Milo.
He was 6 years old and was set in his ways.
Thus, we didn’t think we could change his name, even though I didn’t like his name necessarily.
But over the months, I started calling him Mi, shortened from Milo, and he has been responding to it.
Milo is a relatively active Jack Russell.
I take him for walks daily and we play with him.
He has a few different toys he just loves to play with.
He even loves to play chase the treat.
He also gets along with Toby.
Toby is twelve years old.
Therefore, it is sometimes hard for him to cope when Mi gets loud and runs around.
But he has gotten used to him.
It’s been almost a year since we adopted Milo.
He has been a great addition to our family.
Our quiet home has become more active.
We’ve been graced with a Jack Russell who is bounding around the house, playing, and chasing treats.
When he’s not walking, playing, or chasing things, he’s sleeping on his favorite chair, which is pretty well every chair in our house, including our bed.
At night, Milo is quiet and sleeps like a baby.
He doesn’t wake until morning and it’s time to take him outside to do his first bit of business.
He is such a great fella.
I can’t believe we were lucky to get Milo, our little sweetie.
Rescues grace people’s lives.
I know all my pets have enriched my life so much.
And I am doing a good deed in the process as well.
How wonderful it is to know that both Milo and I are reaping the rewards from our first meeting.
About Irene Roth
Irene Roth is a freelance writer with over 150 books published. She writes in the areas of self-help for chronically ill individuals as well as how writers can be at their best. She also teaches online courses on different aspects of writing and the writing life and coaches writers to be their best and the most productive. She rescues cats and dogs and loves being a pet mom. She lives with her husband, cat Toby, and dog Milo in southwestern Ontario.
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my mailing list here, so you don’t miss my weekly updates:
