Growing the Family: Doggy Style

Oh my goodness!  It's been weeks since I've had a chance to talk about all the happenings.  Ya know, you start a blog to start recording precious memories and ironically you get too busy to stop and put any of them down!  However, this time I have a really adorable reason why!

We were lucky enough this past month to add a wonderful new member to the family.  Meet Milo the dog.

Milo was adopted from The Pet Rescue Center in Aliso Viejo.  They rescued him from a kill-shelter and found the poor guy covered in matted hair and with a wound on his side, most likely from being hit by a car.  He's some kind of poodle-maltese-bichon mix.  Not really sure and Milo is not telling.  All we know is he stole our heart the moment we met him.

We prayed for years for a good dog for our family.  We waited until the kids were old enough to help with doggies duties and be responsible for one. I grew up with great big sloppy kissing labradors, so this little guy is a whole new kind of dog for me.  Adopting him has been almost as time consuming as bringing home a new baby.  (although this one came house trained already!)

Here is Milo's first month:

We adopted him

Got to know him

Played with him

He slept

Got his first haircut!

Briefly considered renaming him "Falcor" after the haircut (you'll have to Google that one)

He supervised reading time with Grandmom and Z

Escorted our daughter to a sleepover

Had his first vet checkup

Had his first bath from the kids

The bath was not a favorite "first"

And he slept some more

Yep, this dog hit the doggy lotto with us.  Three kids and four adults to love him and care for him.  Let me tell you about him:

• What we love about Milo is his love for everyone in the family.  If someone new comes in a room, he always goes to them to show his affection.  
• As the month has passed, he has warmed up even more.  He gives the kids lots of kisses on their face whenever they are on the ground with him.  
• He loves playing with his stuffed toys.  
• He loves to be on his leash for a walk, and he loves to defecate on everyone else's lawn but ours (don't worry, we clean up after him!).  
• Milo barks like a big boy at the boxer next door.  (that dog thinks he is nuts)
• His is protective of "his" place and people, but he is super friendly to other dogs when he is walking on a leash outside.  
• Milo is good boy in his crate at night and likes to do a big cat stretch when he gets out in the morning.
• If you rub his belly, you might be one of his favorite new people. 
• I might have to put a bell on him, since he likes to stand right behind you in the kitchen as you cook, set the table or go to the fridge!  We've had several close tripping calls!  
• And after this month, he has started to whimper or cry anytime his "people" have left the room, even for a few minutes.  So adorable that Milo!

With all these wonderful qualities, maybe it is us who hit the doggy lotto????

Well, it has been a whirlwind month for the family....I will post all the OTHER stuff we have been doing later.  If you are looking to adopt a new family pet, consider a rescue doggie!  By adopting a dog, and not a puppy, we were able to avoid all of the extra work associated with those cutie pies.  Not that I wouldn't want to do that work, but since we work and have three kiddos with full activity schedules, it wouldn't have been fair to a puppy.

For more information on The Pet Rescue Center, please click here!!!!

Milo the Dog