How Our Jack Russell Milo Changed Our Family During COVID

 

Milo the Jack Russell Terrier holding his favourite blue ball at home
Meet Milo, our ball-obsessed Jack Russell who joined our family during COVID and quickly became one of us

The Little Dog Who Changed Our Home: Welcoming Milo During COVID

Sometimes the family member you never planned for becomes the one you can't imagine living without.

A Quiet World Suddenly Stopped

Like so many families around the world, our daily lives changed dramatically in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the busy suburban streets around our Sydney home suddenly fell silent. Living at the bottom of a hill, we were used to hearing cars accelerate up the road all day long. Almost overnight, all traffic stopped. The world felt strangely quiet.

We spent more time inside our house than ever before. Family holidays were canceled, restaurants were closed, and simple weekend outings became impossible. Our children had often asked about getting a dog over the years, but we had always assumed it would be too much work. Life was already busy enough.

However, during those long months of lockdown, our family felt a quiet void. We realized what we needed wasn't an extra burden, but a lively new personality—or as we like to say, a new "dognality."

The Journey to Meet Milo: From Port Macquarie to Sydney

On 9 June 2020, a little Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Milo was born in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. Because of strict COVID-19 travel restrictions across regional New South Wales, traveling required official approval. Armed with an authority letter that allowed us to drive from Sydney to Port Macquarie to collect our new puppy, we set off on one of the few road trips we made during that unusual time in history.

Even before we met him in person, the trip felt special. Little did we know that this tiny puppy would completely transform the energy in our home.


Milo as a young Jack Russell puppy resting on a pink blanket
Milo as a tiny puppy shortly after joining our family in 2020.
It didn't take long for him to completely steal our hearts

"When Milo arrived, laughter and excitement returned to our house. In a time of global uncertainty, he gave us a reason to smile every single day."


Understanding the Jack Russell Personality

If you have ever owned or lived with a Jack Russell Terrier, you know they are small dogs with gigantic personalities! Originally bred in England as hunting dogs, they possess remarkable energy, intelligence, and spirit.

TraitOverview
TemperamentEnergetic, loyal, intelligent, and fiercely curious
Exercise NeedsHigh (60+ minutes of daily active play or walking)
Shedding & GroomingHigh shedding! Expect plenty of white hairs on clothes and furniture—though worth every bit of extra vacuuming!
Key PassionsFetch, swimming, chasing balls, and exploring scent trails
Ideal ForActive families, outdoors lovers, and consistent trainers


A Friendly Warning for Prospective Owners:

Despite their short coat, Jack Russells are notorious for heavy shedding! You will find tiny white hairs on your clothes, sofa, and carpets year-round. It requires a bit of extra vacuuming, but the love, laughter, and companionship Milo brings into our home make every single strand of hair completely worth it.


Milo's Two Great Passions: Fetch and Swimming

Over the years, we discovered that Milo has two primary loves in life: balls and the water.


1. The Endless Search for Tennis Balls

Milo is completely obsessed with balls. Whether we are walking through a local neighborhood park or strolling along a sandy beach, he has an uncanny talent for finding lost tennis balls hidden in bushes or under benches. Once he finds one, an energetic game of fetch begins!


Milo the Jack Russell playing with a large ball in the backyard
The beginning of a lifelong love affair with balls and endless games of fetch


2. A Natural Swimmer in Sydney Harbour

Many people are surprised by how comfortable Jack Russells can be in the water. Milo is a natural swimmer. One of his absolute favorite places in the world is Rose Bay in Sydney Harbour, where he happily paddles through the calm coastal water chasing his ball.


Milo the Jack Russell swimming in Sydney Harbour with the city skyline and Harbour Bridge in the distance
Milo swimming in Sydney Harbour at Rose Bay,
one of his favourite places in the world


🎬 Watch Milo Swim: You can watch Milo's Swimming Adventure on YouTube and Guess What Milo found in the Waves to see him dive into the water and fetch his favorite ball! 


Tips for Families Considering a Jack Russell Terrier

If your family is thinking about welcoming a Jack Russell or high-energy terrier into your home, here are a few key lessons we have learned along the way:

  1. Provide Daily Mental & Physical Stimulation: Jack Russells need active play. Games of fetch, agility drills, or swimming are essential to keep them happy and well-behaved.
  2. Channel Their Curiosity: Keep plenty of durable toys around the house so their natural urge to chew and play is directed productively.
  3. Embrace the Energy: They are wonderful family companions who thrive when included in everyday activities, outdoor adventures, and road trips.


More Than Just a Pet: A Treasured Family Member

When we brought Milo home in 2020, we thought we were simply adopting a pet. What we actually gained was a devoted family member who helped us navigate one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

He brought warmth, companionship, and boundless joy into our home when we needed it most. Even as someone who never previously considered themselves a devoted "dog person," I cannot imagine our home without him now.


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