Meet Milo, the 70-Pound Shelter Dog Who Insists He's a Lap Dog

At 70 pounds, Milo is not what most people picture when they think of a lap dog. Milo, for his part, disagrees. The 5-year-old dog has looked over the evidence and decided that a lap is exactly where he belongs.

Milo is currently in the care of Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the rescue, he is happiest when he is as close to his person as physically possible. That can mean squeezing onto the couch beside someone, or climbing into bed to share the covers. Personal space is not a concept Milo has much use for.

His enthusiasm for closeness is the kind of trait that shelter workers say can make a dog stand out. Many large dogs still carry the belief that they are much smaller than they are, and they act accordingly. Milo simply takes that confidence and applies it to cuddling.

For an adopter, that means going in with realistic expectations. A dog Milo's size will not fit neatly across a lap the way a toy breed would, and anyone considering him should be comfortable with a partner who leans, sprawls and shares furniture. A sturdy couch and a tolerance for a warm, heavy companion are a good start.

At five years old, Milo is past the chaotic puppy stage but still has plenty of years ahead. Adult dogs in shelters are often overlooked in favor of younger animals, even though their personalities are already well established. With Milo, there is little mystery. He wants to be near his people, and he is not shy about saying so.

Rescues like APR rely on adopters and fosters to move dogs out of kennels and into homes, which frees up space for the next animal in need. Anyone interested in meeting Milo can contact Abandoned Pet Rescue in Fort Lauderdale for details on the adoption process.

Milo has made his case. Now he is waiting for someone with a comfortable spot on the sofa and a willingness to let a 70-pound dog have his way.