Stand with Milo: A Marine's Loyal Companion

On Friday November 15th, I was walking with my service dog Milo and my 4 year old daughter. Milo served in the Marine Corps with me and then served as my Service dog for my veteran disability after we were honorably discharged from the Marines. We were confronted by a homeless woman who began pushing me so I did the “right” thing and just called the cops. When the cops arrived he immediately began screaming and detained the woman, I’m standing waiting for my turn while still holding my hands in the air holding milos leash above my head and I explained to him I need to tie my dog up and then he can talk to me as well. He refused ignoring the begging from me and crying from my daughter, to allow me to restrain my dog away from the scene. He approached us still screaming and Milo nipped at his feet as he’s trained to do to get him to back off, never even barked or growled. The officer immediately opened fire and shot Milo 3 times in the back of the head and the back. A bullet went through him and went through my left leg and almost hit my 4 year old daughter who was screaming and covering her ears. The officer had no bite marks on him and was not seen for medical, but was seen afterwards shaking hands and smiling for his great job by JSO officers.

I was notified this morning that Milo is in stable condition but will need to stay in emergency and have a lot of recovery ahead of him. I am ok but I still have half the bullet in my leg where it will stay unless it causes complications. My daughter will have the opportunity for a Chaplin to make sure she is ok mentally after witnessing this horrendous and uncalled for incident.

I am making this GoFundMe for my best friend .. this dog has been by my side for 10 years and he has never waivered for his love and protection of his humans. He has brought me out of dark places many times and saved my life on multiple occasions including November 15th yesterday. He took 3 bullets for me and my daughter and after I picked him up off the ground he still stood beside us as I held his wounds closed covered in blood, as we had a stand off with the cops until Brent showed up for 14 minutes. They asked why I wouldn’t relinquish him and I told them I called you for help and you showed up and shot my dog and myself in front of my kid.

We just lost our Ellie our beautiful Shepard a few weeks ago to cancer (which drained my bank account) and now this. Not only has he protected and loved me for 10 years, Milo has stepped up and been the best nanny dog to our 1 year old son and our 4 year old daughter. They love him just as much as I have and he loves them just as much.

I know times are tough and I hate asking for help if you know me that’s not my character, but now it’s my turn to step up and take up for him and be by his side and let him know he is so loved and that all of his hard work is not unnoticed in the slightest. I am his voice now when he is down. If your a praying type we also welcome all prayers and love sent his way. If anyone has any questions please feel free to send me a message and I will respond as soon as I can. Thank you for taking the time to read this.