Milo Meets His Match
Meet Milo; a 30 pound goldendoodle with a curly white coat and light golden patches and a personality as bright as his fur and a knack for lighting up any room he walked in to. He joined The Hero Academy at the age of one, an untrained ball of energy. However, the head trainer saw something special in him, and Milo’s foster was up for the challenge.
To say he was a handful is an understatement. He could jump 5 feet off the ground when excited and thought the food on the counter was meant for him. One memorable incident involved Milo swiping a part of a turkey burger off the counter when his foster mom stepped outside to start the grill! Surprisingly, for the first couple days, he was actually timid around the dad of the house. It took time and patience but Milo is a really smart boy and learned pretty quickly.
Milo mastered commands like sit and stay and how to “place” on different surfaces. He became a pro at walking nicely on a leash , both on flat ground and beside his handler on stairs. His foster mom was particularly proud of his door manners, as he learned to wait in his kennel until given permission to come out and to wait patiently at the door when it was time to go outside.
The turning point in Milo’s journey towards becoming a calm and loving companion came when the foster’s son, sitting on the couch, lifted him up into his lap and Milo lay on his back, letting the young man rub his belly. From then on, he would seek comfort in his foster mom’s office when she worked, and whenever she had a stressful phone conversation, he’d place his paws on her lap, demanding attention. Milo’s foster mom believed that his forever home would be as a therapy dog in a children’s hospital. Affection is most definitely his love language!
Milo did best in smaller crowds, he found too many dogs at once to be overwhelming. He loved playing with the house German Shephard mix; he would jump on and over her rough housing as if he was a 70 pound dog himself. He also liked to play fetch in the house and even started learning how to put the ball in the hand of his foster mom.
Second chances happen when someone believes in the possibility of success, if Milo could talk he would undoubtedly express his gratitude to The Hero Academy for believing in him. Anyone that met Milo would say he is the first doodle that had such a positive impact on them. His foster mom will always share tears of joy for how proud she is of Milo. And if you ask his new family they would tell you he has forever changed their lives; especially the young lady he assists.
Milo’s new family found him because of another Hero Academy pup, Jade. Jade’s dad and mom saw Milo on the Hero Academy page and knew he was the perfect fit. Turns out they were right. He became an important part of the famly right away. It was like he knew he was right where he was supposed to be!
Milo’s young lady suffers from anxiety and ADHD, and he provides invaluable companionship and emotional support. His presence helps her focus on tasks and cope with anxiety. In a short time, Milo and his person have formed a deep bond that continues to strenghthen as they grow together. Milo always keeps a watchful eye on her, ensuring her well-being.
Milo is gradually being exposed to various environments, including pools and sporting events, where he will provide assistance. He loves to work and is happiest when he’s helping his person. She has recently taught him to high five with a carrot as his reward. But don’t let that fool you; Milo’s primary motivation is affection, he cares more about belly rubs, chin scratches, and kisses than food. He can be quite insistent once the affection starts, nudging with his nose for more!
When he’s not working, Milo is an energetic and playful pup who gets the “zoomies” and slides across the floor or grass when he’s excited. He might even be part cat as he slides across the living floor trying to get the laser pointer. He also enjoys fetch, tug of war, and going for “sniff walks”. His excitement knows no bounds when his people, especially his person, come home. His love for them is truly unconditional and heartwarming.
Milo and his young lady share a bond that goes beyond words. It’s a unique connection that only the two of them fully understand, and it brings immense joy and support to both their lives.
