Milo is doing well, coming up for his second birthday, he is no longer the new kid on the block around here. Yesterday whilst out for one of his four daily walks, we happened past a Sri Lankan Celebration (they were celebrating the demise of the Tamil Tigers) with much singing and dancing to a Sri Lankan band the people were having a great time. “Hello Milo” came the call from the band, apparently one of the band lived nearby and knew Milo from his various walks. Milo of course likes his name being called out, even more if it is from a microphone accompanied by lots of lovely young ladies shouting his name “Milo Helloooooo.”

We are trying to wean Milo off his Gentle Leader ( http://www.buygentleleader.com/ )  as he tended to take you for a walk and pull you all over the place.  The Gentle Leader having done the job and stopped him from pulling, is now hung up in the cupboard as we trust him to walk alongside us with his normal lead. That is until “Hello Milo” was called out – off he shot across the road – me in his trail – tail straight up, head down, nose one millimetre from the ground, front legs pulling hard enough to tow a truck, travelling at 30 mph toward the Sri Lankan Celebrations – or more accurately the young ladies! The Tamil Tigers would have quaked in their shoes as Milo the Beagle arrived amongst the crowd – tail changing direction from straight up to waggle mode, knocking revellers right and left as if it was Hogmanay.  Fortunately one of the ladies had a biscuit to hand, this stopped Milo in his tracks – he immediately assumed the “please take my paw” position and snaffled the biscuit from the young beauty. Milo thankfully caught the smell of another dog and took his leave from the celebrations to see what was going on next door. Back home Milo was the sole of discretion as Jennifer my wife asked “have you been a good boy then?” Milo as usual heading straight for his favourite spot at the side of the pool falling asleep until mealtime.

Milo has not learnt that plants are bad for him – despite being sick every time he snaffles one. He particularly loves old dried leaves – they remind him I think of the toast he has with us in the mornings. He sits patiently whilst we eat our breakfast until Jennifer makes an extra small slice for him – must be warm, not hot, and crusty please.

I have a favourite chair in the dining room which I have been known to relax in and occasionally drop off after dinner. As soon as I sit in this chair Milo leaps up into my lap and joins me in a wee snooze.

Tash and Milo after dinner snooze!

So the three and three quarter legged wonder has not only made a home happy, he has become well-known in our community – please come and visit him – and don’t forget to bring a biscuit!