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Our first foster was a cocker spaniel named Milo. When we got him, I didn't like him. He was jet black with piercing bright, black eyes. His eyes scared me. He just stood in the kitchen, I am sure, intimidated by our big dogs Percy and Molly.

He was our teacher since we had never had a cocker before. He quickly ballooned up to 46 pounds. We called him our sausage on sticks.

Our first Christmas party at our house with him....well, everyone fed Milo. He ate shrimp, banana pudding, ham, etc...he was a garbage disposal. Nothing upset Milo's stomach, except eating too much. In bed that night, he slept between John and I, with his feet sticking up in the air while he lay on his back.

Soon after, he turned from a foster to adopted. I got him as John's birthday gift. He bounded in with a big bow tied to his collar.

Somehow, over the years, Milo became my dog. Everywhere I went, Milo was at my heels. All these years, I have had to leave the bathroom door open when I was in there or Milo would beat/scratch the door until he could be with me.

As Milo aged, he stayed glossy black, except his head and ears which turned a stately grey.

We called him Father Time and The Barrister.

Milo was no saint. I would yell at him for finding him on the counter walking around grazing...getting on the dining room table to eat the cherry chapstick in my purse...not letting me take a bath alone...etc.

However, he was about perfect a dog one could ever hope to have and enjoy.

Milo was a Prince of a cocker spaniel.

He died the day after Thanksgiving in my arms in the driveway, as we were packing up to take him to the emergency vet to put him down.

He was not sick a day in his life with us, yet 2 weeks before Thanksgiving, he could not breathe. We, and his 2 vets, did everything in our power to save our Milo.

Even a tracheostomy did not help.

Milo, on the day of November 26 in the year 2010...gave us the gift only a dog could give. He looked into my eyes and said it was time. I knew. He spared us the pain of us making the decision to end his life. Milo left us as we surrounded him with our embrace and love. Indeed, if love alone could have saved our Milo, he would be here this day.

Milo, our hearts grieve for Thee.