From his cheeky breakfast habits to his die-hard adventures, Milo is more than just Eugenie Stragalinos’s pet — he’s a family member with expensive taste and an irresistible charm.
Just eight weeks old when Ms Stragalinos picked him up on Australia Day 2021, Milo instantly won her over with his ruby-coloured fur and playful nature.
“Milo is a mini cavoodle,” Ms Stragalinos said.
“(His) mum was a cavalier King Charles spaniel and Dad was a miniature poodle. I named him Milo.
“I’ve always liked that name, and given his ruby colour when he was a puppy I thought it suited him.”
Hailing from a breeder in Traralgon, Milo has a third birthday celebration set for November.
His favourite toys include “his Peter Rabbit toy, and his Mr Fox”.
But what makes Milo stand out, aside from his daily antics, is his intelligence and adaptability.
“He’s a very clever little pooch and will often wait to eat his breakfast after I eat mine, as he gives me the guilt eyes and tries to steal my breakfast,” Ms Stragalinos said.
“Once he knows I’m done, he will happily go off and eat his breakfast. Cheeky boy!”
It’s clear that Milo has also had his moments of naughtiness.
Ms Stragalinos recalls two instances where Milo’s adventurous spirit led to tense situations.
“He’s been naughty twice,” she said.
“Once when just under one year old, he ran out the front gate and down the street — we had just got back from a walk to Petbarn and I thought he was heading back there. Luckily, he didn’t get hurt.”
Another time, while staying at a rental in the region, Milo decided to go out and sit on the front lawn near a busy street.
“He waited for Gran to come outside (and) was just sitting in the sun and came back inside as soon as he was called,” Ms Stragalinos said.
“Let’s just say Gran was not impressed; she was very stressed. Milo, on the other hand, very pleased with himself.”
Ms Stragalinos said she was “very lucky he’s not a fussy eater — many cavoodles are”.
Milo enjoys fish for breakfast and has a love for chicken, bacon, pumpkin, blueberries and lamb.
“He also loves Ziwi Peak kibble, he has expensive taste,” Ms Stragalinos said.
But what makes cavoodles such as Milo truly special is their loving nature.
“Cavoodles are highly trainable, love people and make great companions,” Ms Stragalinos said.
“He has a beautiful temperament, is very affectionate and enjoys spending time with his humans — so much so that privacy is a thing of the past. He much prefers people’s company.”
Reflecting on her bond with Milo, Ms Stragalinos said: “He’s my baby and is the most perfect little bubba. He is so loving and friendly and just knows when you need that extra little cuddle. He’s perfect.”
Milo’s love for walks, people-watching at the beach and playtime with friends only adds to his charm.
Truly, Milo is a reminder that the most extraordinary companions often come with four legs and a wagging tail.