Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Many faces of Milo

21 August 2013

A note from Nancy - Milo's biggest fan and one of his benefactors that I had to share:

"I took Milo's collection of photos in frame to the spay/neuter clinic today (in Red Lake) so Karen (RLRR) could see my treasure.   She was so pleased, and had me set the photo in the area where all the medical staff (MN-SNAP) and volunteers take breaks, and the story of Milo was the topic of discussion.   He's a miracle dog and Karen is very proud to see how handsome he has become!
Thank you, Andi.   Hugs for Milo today and always.
 
Nancy/Bemidji "

Nancy performs many kind works for animals.  Thank YOU Nancy! 


Thursday, August 15, 2013

Visiting

13 August 2013

Milo stopped in at the local pet store to visit with a couple of his favorite friends. 


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Training people for dog training success

9 August 2013

This evening we went to one of our favorite dog parks and, as usual, Milo greeted old friends and new - the two legged variety.  He got scratches and pats from all and made sure that no one had an idle hand for too long nudging them into action on giving him love.

After about an hour of walking the trails it was time to head out and get home for some dinner.  However, it was about this time that several new groups of people and dogs entered the park.   Milo was intent on greeting and charming them into getting some love from them too.

So... here is the scene.  I am walking towards the exit gate with Leo and Sabrina.  Milo is about 40 feet away fully focused on his new groups of people.  I call to him and he ignores me because these new people are petting him and falling under his polite, but relentless charm and he is being full on rewarded right where he is so there is no value for him to leave this heavenly situation.

I call to the people to stop petting Milo.  Then I call to him again.  Milo, intent on getting his new people to pet him again moves from person to person nudging their hands.  The well meaning people touch his head, talk to him, pointing to me saying, "Your mom is calling you".  As if  a) he will understand and b) that pointing at me will help - as if he just doesn't speak English so pointing will help.  What they don't know is that they are still rewarding him for not listening because they are giving him attention.  

Subversive that I am, I see this as a training opportunity for human and canine.  I ask the people to ignore Milo - no touching, no eye contact.  Several of them confess to finding this difficult as he is pretty hard to resist, but are nice enough to play this game.  And... voila!  No reward for Milo with the new people and he willingly trots to me for big hugs and great exclamations of what a good boy he is.  Huge, exciting dog party reward ensues!

I thank the people for their help and explain to them how they had been contributing to Milo's "bad" behavior by rewarding him for not listening by giving him attention.

I hope this was a good lesson for both human and canine.  

Another round of herbs

12 August 2013

Milo's most recent batch of custom herbs arrived this week.  They were prescribed by Dr. Choi at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School.  Milo's last blood test was still not quite normal and the herbs were custom blended for his improving condition, so each blend is altered slightly based on his blood tests.
Dr. Choi practices Integrative Medicine - combining traditional Western medicine with Oriental medicine.

The herbs are in powder form that are sprinkled onto Milo's food.  Herbsmith is a Wisconsin company that blends the herbs as prescribed by Dr. Choi and then shipped to our home.



Head is on straight!

4 August 2013

Milo had his third visit with the canine chiropractor on Saturday and was declared to be in "maintenance" mode.

He is now engaging in light play with Leo and will go around the sheep both ways.  

I'm glad he is more comfortable.

Napping after yard work

11 August 2013

Yesterday Milo got a good work out following the riding lawnmower.  If we are outside, he is always right with me.

After a good work out a nap is well deserved.  

   

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Pals

7 August 2013

Milo and Leo can often be found hanging out together.  That's what pals are for!



Friday, August 2, 2013

Napping in the evening

2 August 2013

On a lovely summer evening it is good to nap in the shade of the garden with a pal.