Shih Tzu Has a Bizarre Mealtime Ritual—And Her Family Fully Supports It

Mila Angelo, affectionately called Milinha by her owner, is a Shih Tzu who has a very peculiar habit. She will only accept her meals if she is given a balloon—on one condition: it must be completely new. Otherwise, she refuses it.

The curious story was shared by the owner, Lenita Laus Angelo, from Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, who contacted Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news) via email.

Lenita revealed that Mila is 9 years old and that her love for balls and balloons started early, when she was just two years old.

“Many years ago, it started with a ball [...] first, I would run around the house with it and only then eat.”

Watch the video of Mila playing with her favorite ball:

Even after all these years, Mila is still in love with the same ball—which is now punctured and worn out—but she won’t give up (or should we say “paw”) this precious object.

“Every now and then, Mila pushes the ball around the house with her head. If we try to take it away, she plants her paws on it and barks non-stop, turning into a ‘beast,’” says the owner.

Because of this, Lenita's husband makes an effort to keep his favorite toy in good condition:

“My husband inflates the ball, plugs the holes, and refuses to let it go.”

Although the green ball holds a special place in Mila’s heart, she has expanded her tastes and developed a passion for other round objects—thanks to her owner’s idea.

“One day I brought home some balloons from a party and she was thrilled. Since then, I haven’t stopped giving her balloons,” she says.

However, now that she’s older, Mila only accepts her special ball—and the balloons must always be new.

Lenita explained: “I’ve tried giving her the same balloon—even washing the spout—but she refuses it. It always has to be new.”

Mila’s Ritual

According to her owner, Mila has been keeping up her “ritual” for about five years.

Every day—at both lunch and dinner—the Angelo family follows the same routine:

“We put the food on the plate, and she waits for us to blow up the balloon.”

During this process, Mila becomes anxious, barking and showing other signs of excitement.

“Then we place the balloon in her mouth by the spout, and she runs around—or sometimes just stands there holding it.”

Only after finishing her “ritual” with the balloon does Mila feel comfortable enough to set it down and eat her meal.

Watch the video:

Lenita shared that Mila is the light of their home:

“She changed our lives—especially my husband’s, who didn’t even like dogs. Now he’s totally attached,” she says.

The little dog is much loved by everyone and is always by the family's side.

“She travels with us. We never leave her behind—we only stay in pet-friendly hotels.”

With her special charm, Mila showed Lenita’s family that a pet can truly fill a home with joy.

"She is the purest demonstration of love."

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