Dash New Jersey

Dash's 5th Stop New Jersey

June 02, 20253 min read

Dash arrived in New Jersey on May 23, 2025

I arrived and met my host families dachshund Milo and the next door neighbors dog Finn. Finn is a Vizla and he gave me a warm welcome to the neighborhood with a butt sniff!

Milo and Me

Milo

Finn and Me

Finn on Fence

Finn gives dash a sniff

Milo and I celebrating Memorial Day

Milo and Dash Memorial Day

Milo had a grooming appointment so I went to provide some moral support.

Milo at Groomer

It's been quite cold so Milo and I have been doing a lot of napping.

Milo and Dash Napping

Today we treated ourselves to some hot pretzels.

Dash Hot Pretzels

I went with my host family to drop off sheet and blanket donations to the Bergan County Animal Center.

Dash makes donations

Dash Donations

Milo's Rescue Story

I wasn’t really planning on getting another dog. I already had Henry, a sweet and stubborn miniature dachshund who had me wrapped around his little paws. One day at work, in a passing conversation, I casually mentioned that I might consider getting a second dachshund someday. Just a thought—nothing serious.

The next day, my coworker came up to me with a look that was somewhere between hopeful and urgent. Her sister had four miniature dachshunds, but was moving and could only take two to her new house. The remaining two were headed to a rescue—unless I might be interested in one of them.

Milo was two years old and a bit of a mess. He was underweight, had some serious food and toy aggression, and barked like it was his full-time job. From the very first day, he made it clear that he had opinions and wasn’t shy about sharing them—loudly and often.

Henry put up with Milo’s quirks. He tolerated the nonstop barking, the toy hoarding, and the general chaos Milo brought with him. But the one thing he wouldn’t tolerate was Milo stealing his food. That line, once crossed, resulted in some very clear feedback from Henry. I learned quickly to feed them in separate rooms - Henry learned to eat fast.

Then Henry went down with IVDD. My strong little guy was suddenly on crate rest recovering from spinal surgery, and everything in the house changed. Milo stationed himself next to Henry’s kennel like a tiny, fur-covered sentinel. If anyone dared approach, he’d launch into his loudest, most determined barking—his way of protecting his brother.

When Henry passed, just shy of his 17th birthday, the silence in the house was louder than Milo’s barking had ever been. Milo was quiet for a while—lost, maybe, in a way only dogs can be. But dogs are resilient. Slowly, Milo adjusted to being the only dog. He still barked at everything and nothing, still demanded attention in the most dramatic ways, but there was a softness to him now too—an understanding that comes with loss and love.

Now, Milo is nearing 17 himself. His snoot has gone grey, and he doesn’t hear as well as he used to, but he’s still got that spark. He still barks nonstop, still lets the neighborhood know he’s on patrol, still makes me laugh every single day.

Milo with Me (Milo like me and I really like him too!)

Milo loves Dash

I got to have a sleep over at host moms mothers house

Dash sleep over

I was told it's not New Jersey unless there is traffic!

Dash Traffic

I went with my host family to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. I could see the New York City Skyline from there.

Dash view NYC

I got to see the Titanic Exhibit.

Host Dash Titanic

Look how big it was! Can you spot me in the bottom of the photo?

Dash and Titanic

They had a very cool cotton candy Machine, It made a Solar System.

Dash cotton Candy 1

Dash Cotton Candy 2

I had a great time in New Jersey! I will miss my host family and Milo!

I'm off to New York.


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