Irene’s dog Milo is only attracted to red toys
Most adoring pet owners would do anything for their cherished companions, but could they speak for their furry, feathered or finned friends and tell us what they are thinking?
To find out, we’re putting pet owners to the test with the personality questionnaire made famous by French novelist Marcel Proust.
For the past two years, Irene Kuan has been sharing her life with Milo, a small, white Havanese. Specially selected for her by the breeder based on Kuan’s lifestyle, habits and career demands, Milo is a perfect companion for this busy digital-media professional. Kuan dotes on her friendly, well-behaved purebred pup and pays careful attention to all of his needs.
High-quality treats from Whole Foods, filtered water and a recent gluten-free phase keep Milo fit and healthy. The digital tracker on his collar — similar to Fitbit for humans — helps Kuan keep an eye on his movements throughout the day. Knowing his level of activity is key to condo living.
Between Milo’s Instagram account and play dates with Minnie, his Yorkie girlfriend, Kuan makes sure he has an active, well-balanced social life. What is Milo’s idea of perfect happiness? I think just being with us: being with me or my boyfriend, and being stuck to us like Velcro. What is Milo’s greatest fear? He’s afraid of luggage: anything with wheels on it. He will bark at carriages, shopping carts, and it’s so bizarre because he’s never been rolled over by one! What does Milo consider his greatest achievement?
Being a good dog, meaning he’s good with children (if they’re not in a carriage), he’s good with old people, he’s good with anyone who’s not a random guy, and he’s been able to learn certain tricks through training and repetition which makes him feel really good. What is Milo’s most treasured possession? His toy lobster: “Lobby” the Lobster. We went to a shop called Dog Fathers to buy a Canada Pooch winter jacket (think Canada Goose but for dogs) and Milo just picked it up out of a bin — and I guess you bite it you buy it! So we bought it. He’s only attracted to red toys. He had this crusty little dollar-store red Santa hat that we put on him once to take a photograph and he wouldn’t let it go. That’s the only other toy he wants. We’ve spent so much money on countless toys, but he doesn’t care for them. What does Milo regard as the lowest depth of misery? When we go on vacation and we have to drop him off at my cousin’s place. I’ve asked what Milo does when we leave and he’ll cry for an hour by the door because he realizes we’re not coming back for a week. What is Milo’s most marked characteristic? He’s extremely affectionate to everybody. He’s not a guard dog by any means, he’ll probably just kiss and lick you to death. What is it that Milo most dislikes? He doesn’t like having his underbelly touched, so if we want to clean him we have to get a groomer to do it. I also started brushing his teeth at the recommendation of the groomer but he hates it. He’s starting to tolerate it but we don’t do it for long; it’s like 10 seconds and we’re done. What is Milo’s motto? I love you!