Milo weighs 70 pounds, which is useful information if you’re trying to determine whether he qualifies as a lap dog. Milo, however, has already reviewed the evidence and reached his own conclusion: he absolutely does. The 5-year-old dog currently in the care of Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is happiest when he’s as close to his person as physically possible. Whether that means squeezing beside someone on the couch or joining them in bed, Milo sees no reason a little thing like 70 pounds should stand between him and a good cuddle.
Milo Has a Very Important Job
APR describes Milo as a “cuddle bug” whose true calling is being someone’s companion. When he isn’t playing with plush toys or chasing balls, he’s usually much more interested in whatever his favorite human happens to be doing.
Milo will follow people around the house like a furry shadow, then patiently wait for them to finish their obviously less important human tasks. Once they’re done, he’s ready to move on to the day’s main event, which preferably involves sitting together.
He isn’t opposed to leaving the house, either, because Milo loves car rides and would happily claim the position of co-pilot whenever his future person feels like going on an adventure. Afterward, he’ll presumably be ready to return to the couch, because a 70-pound lap dog needs his rest.
He’s Already Proven He Can Make Friends
Milo’s love isn’t necessarily limited to humans. APR says he has previously lived happily with five cats and has also enjoyed playdates with other dogs. The rescue’s more recent foster plea says a home able to focus just on Milo is ideal for him right now. For anyone considering fostering him, APR will provide his supplies while he waits for a permanent family.
And that’s exactly what Milo is still waiting for: someone willing to give this oversized shadow a place beside them. Somewhere out there is a lap currently going tragically unused, and Milo would very much like to correct that situation.
Milo Has a Condition Most Dog Parents Have Probably Never Heard Of
There is something important that Milo’s future family will need to know about him, and chances are, many dog lovers have never heard of it. Milo has Masticatory Muscle Myositis, usually shortened to MMM.
The name sounds complicated, but what happens inside a dog’s body is easier to understand. MMM is an immune-mediated disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks specific muscle fibers found in the muscles used for chewing.
Because those muscles control the movement of the jaw, dogs experiencing MMM can have difficulty opening their mouths. In acute cases, the chewing muscles can become swollen, while chronic cases can cause muscle loss, difficulty eating, and weight loss.
One especially interesting thing about the condition is how targeted it can be. The muscles involved in chewing contain a specialized type of muscle fiber, helping explain why the immune attack can focus specifically on this area rather than affecting every muscle in a dog’s body.
MMM Doesn’t Mean Milo Can’t Have a Happy Life
Hearing that a dog has an immune-mediated disease can understandably make potential adopters nervous, but MMM can be treated and managed with veterinary care. Treatment commonly involves corticosteroids to suppress the inappropriate immune response, sometimes alongside other immunosuppressive medications.
Early treatment is particularly important because prolonged inflammation can eventually cause scar tissue in the affected muscles. Merck Veterinary Manual reports that the long-term prognosis is generally favorable, although some dogs experience relapses and require continued veterinary management.
APR says Milo can still enjoy a happy, loving life with appropriate care and management. More importantly, the rescue doesn’t want a medical term to become the only thing potential families notice about a dog who has so much more going for him.
After all, MMM doesn’t tell you that Milo loves plushies or that he’s an enthusiastic road-trip companion. It doesn’t tell you that he’ll follow his person through the house, patiently wait for couch time, or remain completely convinced that 70 pounds of dog can fit comfortably into a human lap.
His Future Family Will Have Some Extra Help
Taking on a pet with an ongoing medical condition can feel intimidating, especially when potential adopters begin thinking about the cost of long-term veterinary care. In Milo’s case, APR has taken an enormous part of that concern off the table.
Milo qualifies for the rescue’s Medical Adoption Program, which means APR will provide his veterinary care through its clinic for the rest of his life. He’s also neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, and the rescue describes him as otherwise happy and healthy. Programs like this can give animals with ongoing medical needs another path toward finding homes. Instead of asking an adopter to navigate Milo’s condition entirely alone, APR can remain part of his support system after he finds his family.
Milo Is Still Waiting for His Person
For now, Milo remains in Fort Lauderdale looking for a foster or adopter. APR hopes sharing his story will finally put this oversized lap dog in front of the person who’s been saving a spot for him.
His requirements aren’t particularly mysterious, because Milo wants someone to follow through the house, a passenger seat for adventures, a few toys to play with, and a comfortable place to snuggle when the day is done. Most importantly, he’d like a person who understands that “lap dog” is a state of mind, not a weight class.
Milo decided long ago that 70 pounds fits just fine, and his medical diagnosis hasn’t changed his opinion on the matter. Now he just needs someone willing to scoot over and let him prove it.
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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
Toledo, United States.