Achilles & Milo are here to stay.

Well, they’re HEEEEERRRRRREEEEEE!

Boy, they were so confused when they walked in Thursday night. Achilles was especially out of his mind because he has never been to our home before. At least Milo had a mini-introduction a couple of weeks ago. Poor Achilles, he walked right up to the dining room mirror and smacked his face. He was convinced there was another dog staring back at him and not his own reflection.

They were both so thirsty after their long day in the car and at the groomer’s. Achilles was there from 11 am to 5 pm and Milo arrived at 1 pm. Milo’s grooming took the longest because they had to seriously brush out his **UNDERCOAT**. Jeeazaloo!!! A comforter can be made from Milo’s undercoat! Most of the undercoat was in his BOOTY because that boy seriously has some JUNK in the TRUNK.

They both got their summer cuts (not shaves) to keep them cool, nails clipped, “butt fur” all tidied up, teeth brushed, baths, the works! They looked so good when they arrived. I had the video camera out and ready to capture Ed pulling into the driveway with the two of them. Achilles looked so stunned in the front seat and Milo was just chillin’ in the back. We really need to get a dog-mobile, a station wagon (love the Passats!) or a Honda Element or something.

The first thing they both did was run around sniffing, peeking into rooms and smacking into mirrors. Then they found their water dishes. They slurped and sloshed for a good minute or two. Talk about thirst!!! We gave them a couple of treats. Achilles promptly threw up all of his water and his treats on the newly steam cleaned carpet. Excellent!!! (I think I read somewhere not to let dogs drink water too fast and for too long or else they’ll puke. Ooops!!!)

Well, my friend Val told me to look for Nick-isms with Milo and Achilles because that would allow me to remember Nick fondly and not break down crying all the time. Well, what I found were more NON-Nick-isms than actual Nick-isms. Boy oh boy, Milo and Achilles couldn’t be more unique. It is very fascinating to me actually.

Here are some things Achilles and Milo do that Nick definitely did NOT do:

-SLURP and SLOSH when they drink, and then drool as they walk away from their water dish. Nick would actually lick his lips in his bowl before turning away so that he wouldn’t splash on the ground. He was very neat that way. He was also a very neat eater. Giving Achilles and Milo a treat requires that I carry a hand vac around with me. Sheesh!

-Achilles is the garbage surfer and toilet bowl drinker. I found him in the recycle bag just as he pulled out an empty can of dog food. The recycle bag now sits on top of the bar. He tried to stick his head in the toilet for a cool, refreshing drink. The toilet seat now has to be kept down. Nick was never interested in such things. Actually, the only time he EVER came into the bathroom was a couple of days before he died. I was stepping out of the shower and he stumbled his way in. He looked so startled that he was even in there in the first place. He was in pain for a while there so I wonder if he might have been delirious. My poor baby love. SIGH.

-Milo isn't much of a eater believe it or not. You're probably thinking "or not" since he is such a big "healthy" boy! He is the larger of the two at 85 lbs but he doesn't seem to be nutso over food or treats. He kind of tolerates his breakfast, and his dinner he'll semi-gobble it up. Nick was a ferocious eater before he became ill, kind of like what Achilles is like now. I wonder if Achilles would like steamed veggies? Hmm... But, I think we are going to hold off introducing Achilles to any new foods for a while. He had 2 bites of a peach last night. At about 3 am he woke Ed to go outside. Ed said he heard the LOUDEST and LONGEST dog fart ever before Achilles relieved himself of the 2 measly bites of a peach. HOLY CRAP indeed! :-) But, when Ed went over to pick up the poop there was nothing there. What the hell? I guess Achilles doesn't want to fart in the house. Good boy!

There is a lot more and we're still learning about them. Milo seems a lot more settled in and comfortable than Achilles does right now. Achilles (like Nick) was with the same family for 13 years before he was turned in, so his adjustment period may take a while. He searches the house a lot, and I wonder what that poor baby is looking for? Achilles' favorite spot so far is Nick's old favorite spot, in the corner under the bar. When I saw him lying there I was so touched. It made me so happy to see him curled up there. He's got a curly butt and tail, just like Nick except that Achilles' are more wavy and loose.

On the other hand, poor Milo has been passed around from shelter to shelter because his owners didn't want to pick him up when they were contacted through Milo's microchip. So, Milo is used to being trucked around and in a different, new place all the time. He is also a lot more insistent about being petted than Achilles. Milo looks like bear with an Eskimo like face. He is hilarious with his goofy antics. The neighborhood cats are on alert, Milo is in town.


Ed in Orange County picking up Achilles from the foster's. He is 64 lbs, the same weight as Nick when we got him. He's very agile and graceful when he walks. His hips have a SERIOUS shimmy and switch to them. I wonder what that's all about?
Achilles loves to smile and he isn't afraid of the camera. Nick was always so petrified of the camera. We only have a few pictures of him where he is actually looking right into the camera.

The feed & water station before the boys arrive. Achilles is going to have Nick's feeders (on the right).
Milo looooooooves Ed. We had Milo for one day a few weeks ago and when we dropped him back off at Peggy's (foster mom) he looked all over the house for Ed for over 20 minutes. The last couple of days he has "bullied" Achilles out of the way so that Ed can pet him instead. Too funny.
Milo lovin' all over his new daddy. Look at that BOOOOOOTY!!!! J-Lo, you better watch out! He is 20 lbs heavier than Achilles at 85 lbs, and he is also a lot taller. When you look at him with his thick Eskimo bear fur you'd think he's more than 100 lbs, but nope, only a svelte 85!!!
Achilles sniffin' away in his new doggie park. He doesn't know that in less than a 1/2 hour he's going to be at the groomer's! Evil new mommy and daddy!
Mighty Achilles surveying his new land.

Mighty Achilles and Eskimo Bear Milo hangin' out in the backyard while new daddy grills chicken for them.
Chow time! Achilles (forefront) is a bit more red than Milo. His summer cut got rid of a lot of his curls in the back. I hope they grow back!
Booty shots. :-)
Milo, daddy and Achilles.
Milo, daddy and Achilles again.

Ed, Achilles, Milo, Cap't Morgan and the spirit of Nick. I love my boys. :-)