Milo's amputation was one month ago.  On Friday we drove 8 hours to drop baby off at college, and on Saturday, we drove 8 hours back home.  Of course, Milo loves nothing more than a car ride so he got one in spades!

He and my 6'2" son spent the ride out-maneuvering each other for who got the most leg room on the seat. 

Friday was the most walking Milo has done since the amputation.  He hopped around rest areas, and made the long hot "hop" from a parking lot to a NJ Turnpike center where we ate lunch.  He hopped from the parking area to the dorm like he belonged there.  He wasn't a big fan of the dorm room, but he made a bunch of friends.  The college kids were begging him to stay!  Many had seen photos of him the year before (son is sophomore) and were happy to meet him.  He did manage to face plant once when he was snuggling up against a young woman and somehow managed to get his one front leg caught on her sandal.  Ouch!

After the drop off, we stayed at Kimpton Hotel in Baltimore.  If you're not familiar, they are a chain of upscale boutique hotels that cater to animals with no extra fees -- all sizes welcome!  They have a goody bag for the dogs with a list of outdoor restaurants for meals, and dog parks, and nearby grass of 'the business'.  Milo is not a city dog, and "nearby" is relative.  It was 2-3 city blocks to the nearest place -- and then he had to go 2-3 blocks to get back.  And that's just to and from the hotel door and doesn't account for the beautiful Beaux Art marble lobby and the hallways!  It was a lot of hopping and he was fantastic!  Here he is living the good life on the hotel bed.

Along the way, he made so many people smile.  Because he hops, his ears bounce.  He's always had a goofy muppet look, and the heat has his tongue hanging out.  He just looks so lovable!  Some street workers had just met a tripawd the week before, and Milo was their second.  They truly hugged and kissed him and told him how great he was doing, and how brave.  A guy out for a smoke reached for pets.  Security guards, doormen, everyone smiled and reached to touch him.  

We met a friend for drinks after she dropped her son off, so it was midnight when we took Milo out for one last tinkle.  He smelled every tree and planter, but wouldn't go on concrete.  We finally found a 2' by 10' mulched planting he was willing to go in.  On that midnight trip two sailors stopped to pet him, some women waiting at a bus stop petted, another walking by on the street.  The funniest was a guy sitting on the sidewalk just outside our building.  He reached for Milo, Milo went over, and semi-tripped an collapsed and curled up against him.  It made the guy so happy.  There are a lot of lonely people out in this world, and a big, goofy, bouncy, smiley, 3-legged dog helps.

The next day we had breakfast at an outdoor cafe.  Kids always want to pet him, and I always tell them he's nice and gentle and that they can.  This time I saw a few sort of staring at his missing leg.  They were "too polite" to say anything (unfortunately), so I'd just matter of factly tell them "yes, he only has 3 legs", then they'd start asking questions.  A 5-year-old wanted to know if it would grow back! 

So here we are after one month.  Not only is Milo out of pain and feeling great, but there seems to be this new mission of bringing extra joy to strangers.  Who would have thunk it?!?!

Peace,

Jenifer & Milo

Here's a youtube video: