Arlo was one of six in a litter of puppies born on December 20, 2009 in northwest Pennsylvania. Shortly after, Arlo temporarily resided at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the name M.T.O. while awaiting adoption. M.T.O., the moniker for Made to Order, is a reference to a regional gas station (Sheetz) sandwich. He and all of his littermates were lovingly named after Sheetz sandwiches. M.T.O. was an appropriate handle for Arlo as he was an extraordinary dog. Made to order, with perfection. He was enthusiastically adopted by Chris and Rachel on March 4, 2010.
As a puppy, Arlo attended several classes at the local academies. He earned certificates for outstanding socialization skills, obedience, and basic training. Although he possessed the prime qualities of a certified therapy dog, his reluctance to the agility course and aversion to loud noises kept that just outside his paw’s reach. Arlo earned several medals for getting his shots and obtaining admission to dog parks which he wore on his collar with great pride. He was always a grateful recipient, whether that be a humble pat on the head, piece of cheese, or a “good boy” for a job well done.
Arlo lived a life of fun and adventure. From the time he was a young pup, activities involving water were his favorite. Whether it was getting a bath, being sprayed by a garden hose, or swimming in the ocean, he was a sucker for getting wet. Arlo liked his daily walks, but he especially loved hiking in the woods. In his later years, he enjoyed hiking off-leash in the Indiana State Parks. He loved to travel to visit family and friends. During his life he stepped paw in eighteen states. He was always willing to go anywhere, whether that be camping, city walks, or summer concerts. On the rare occasion that he could not go with his pack, he happily waited by the door for their return. During his down time he loved nothing more than snuggles on the couch, being propped up with pillows, and belly rubs.
Arlo will be most remembered for his gentle demeanor, his patience and intelligence, and his outlook on life. Everyone who laid eyes on Arlo fell in love with him. He was the kind of dog that made everyone want a dog. He loved children and puppies and somehow intuitively knew how to make himself small around them. He wanted nothing more than to please the people in his life and to just be good. Arlo appeared to put a lot of thought into his actions and was always so careful not to cause any disruptions. He liked to follow the rules and he wanted to make sure everyone else did too. Arlo lived every day like it was the best day ever. Always eager to play and have fun, he wanted to bring that same joy and happiness to others.
Arlo will be deeply missed by so many. He made the world a better and happier place. He was an extraordinary dog. Made to order, with perfection.
