My best friend passed today.
His name was Milo. And he was an 11-year-old male Doberman, a gift for my daughter from Santa Claus when she was just six-years old.
Some may say a strange gift for a young child… especially judging by the initial fears from parents of Elle’s other six-year-old friends.
But as my wife predicted, everyone came to love Milo. He was so gentle and child-like around family and friends that we often called him, not a Doberman, but a Doberboy.
On the other hand, with Milo at the foot of Elle’s bed, no child ever slept as safe.
I spent more time with Milo in the last 11 years than I think any other living creature.
He was a good listener, graciously letting me do most of the talking.
Milo was always there for us. He’d gleefully smile when we’d return home (I kid you not). He’d run with me. We’d rough house like boys do. He was watchful day or night, always vigilant. He’d put his head on my lap when he knew I needed a hug.
Milo had what is known as “Wobblers” — Cervical Vertebral Instability or CVI. It’s found in large breeds such as Dobermans. Instead of the bones in his spine protecting his spinal cord, they abnormally compressed it, causing increasing paralysis.
We first starting seeing signs of Wobblers about 2-3 years ago. It was about then that we could tell he wasn’t so keen on chasing squirrels around the yard any longer (squirrels, of course, being a major security violation). We were hoping it was just age. But sadly it wasn’t.
Even with increasing paralysis, Milo carried himself with the dignity befitting his proud lineage to the very end.
There’s a big hole in my family’s heart tonight. Please keep a good thought in your’s for Milo our Doberboy.
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