Milo exemplifies that with a bit of time and support, even the most troubled dogs can become loving companions!
This rescue Pittbull was given up at a shelter after enduring over a month in an abandoned house. Terrified, isolated, and extremely underweight, Milo faced an extremely bleak future.
His traumatic background led to the emergence of peculiar behaviors stemming from PTSD. He seemed like a hopeless case until a compassionate woman recognized his plight and resolved to give him a new lease on life!
Milo’s Challenging Journey
During the time his owner left, a friend visited Milo sporadically to provide food. However, when he reached Heartland Humane Society in Yankton, South Dakota, he was in extremely poor condition for his age.
His rescuers reported that Milo lived, slept, defecated, and urinated – all in one place. He arrived at the shelter in terrible shape, and the lack of socializing led him to develop strange behaviors.
Yazmin Moktan, an art instructor and kind-hearted foster, was living in South Dakota for her coursework when she immediately felt a connection with Milo!
“He was emaciated, filthy, and had been living in his own mess. It was clear he was struggling mentally after a long period of abandonment,” Yazmin shared on Instagram.
Having fostered numerous dogs previously, Yazmin felt an undeniable urge to help this particular Pittie.
Relearning How to Be a Dog
The initial months were challenging. Milo had been neglected to the extent that he exhibited signs of neurosis from extended abandonment. He struggled to learn basic commands, engage in play, or behave normally.
His primary focus was on eating and destroying toys due to stress. Even the slightest sound would distract him. When called, he would nervously look and scurry away.
For weeks, Milo couldn’t manage a full night’s sleep, as noted by Yazmin. While his neurological assessment was clear, it was apparent he was dealing with past traumas.
Yazmin displayed great patience throughout the process. She invested time, effort, and emotion into addressing his challenges, and her hard work paid off! After five months of dedicated rehabilitation, Milo transformed into a completely different dog!
He gained 20 pounds from when he initially entered her home, and most importantly, his behavior showed remarkable improvement!
He mastered basic commands (including potty training) and learned to play fetch without wreaking havoc on toys. The quirky persona he once had morphed into a fun-loving, playful character!
Yazmin and Milo Are Destined for Each Other
Five months into fostering Milo, Yazmin came to a realization she never voiced aloud – Milo was destined to be her permanent dog!
Despite receiving multiple adoption inquiries, Yazmin felt unsettled about others caring for him as she had. During those months, she developed a deep bond with Milo, and when the time came for adoption, she couldn’t bear to separate from him!
“It’s hard to believe we’ve come to this point, but here we are. This choice has been an incredibly tough one, and I’m still filled with apprehension. The future is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: this boy will experience joy every single day of his life,” Yazmin expressed.
Milo is thriving like never before! The days filled with trauma are now a distant memory, and all he cherishes now is spending quality moments with his owner.
Milo and Yazmin can’t imagine life without one another. They are inseparable – enjoying playtimes, hiking adventures, road trips, and cozy evenings together! Once a forsaken dog striving to survive, Milo is now an affectionate sweetheart who revels in life!
Stay updated on his journey by following his Instagram profile.
