Meet the happy dog that wears a different tie every single day of the week.
Australian shepherd Miko is 18-months-old “makes every single person that crosses his path smile” and doesn’t like to be photographed in the same tie twice.
When Miko sticks his head out of the car window, his tie flaps in the wind - and “it’s the most wholesome thing”.
The Los Angeles pup loves wearing ties as much as strangers enjoy spotting him in them while he's out and about.
“Seeing the joy in other people makes Miko happy,” owner Kelli said about her cheery pup.
During lockdown last year, Kelli Jones, based in Los Angeles, California, met with a fellow dog owner who had a collection of pet bandanas for every occasion.
“Afterwards, I was scrolling online and spotted a dog tie - I just had to try it,” she said.
“I liked the idea of a tie because it wouldn’t be restrictive or uncomfortable for Miko.”
And once the pooch started wearing ties outdoors, he never looked back as Kelli noticed the heartwarming effect it had.
A stranger in the street spotted his accessory and “smiled so big, he couldn’t look away”.
“We loved the positive reaction,” Kelli said.
“I noticed that it made people smile when we were out, so we kept doing it to help boost morale during such a tough time.”
When Kelli is driving in the car, Miko will often poke his head out the window.
Passersby will often do a “triple take” and point at his tie flapping in the wind.
“It’s the most wholesome thing,” Kelli said.
It isn’t just strangers that love the ties - Miko enjoys wearing them too.
“The tie slips over his head and doesn’t touch the ground. It isn’t heavy so Miko doesn’t really notice when it’s on,” she said.
Miko currently has 12 ties and used to wear them every time the pair left the house.
Now, Kelli saves them just for special occasions - until she can find some new ones.
Miko has ties in all prints and patterns, from orange, red and navy to purple and yellow.
He has a grey tie with smiley emojis on, one with multicoloured paint splatters and a zebra print one - which is Kelli’s favourite.
“I like weird and funky styles,” she said.
Kelli has a passion for fashion and likes to colour coordinate her outfits with Miko’s ties.
On Miko’s first birthday last year, Kelli traded his usual tie for a bandana and party hat.
He had a birthday cake with his name on it and went sheep herding on a ranch in Los Angeles to celebrate.
“Miko had worn all the ties we had at home, and I didn’t want to recycle an outfit on his big day,” she said.
“I don’t like to be photographed in the same thing twice, so why should he?”
Dog mum Kelli describes Miko as “the sweetest dog” and says he “makes every single person that crosses his path smile”.
“He is super cuddly and strong, and I am so grateful for him,” she said.
“Sometimes, I just look at him and cry.”
Miko loves canine company and enjoys going to the beach and hiking with his doggy friends.
He enjoys eating all foods, but his favourite has to be the “pup patty” from In-N-Out Burger.
“It’s just a plain meat patty with no salt or bread so it’s safe for dogs,” Kelli said.
When Kelli goes out to get coffee, she often gets Miko a “pup cup” because he loves Puppuccinos.
