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OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 3, 2009 · 10 YouTube video caught the eye of Rachel Ray's producers Continued from page 1 residence and the Alzheimer Day Program at Sheridan's Elder Research Centre (SERC). He also performed for students at St. Andrew School last year, said Megson. And most recently, he was "discovered" and travelled to New York City for a television taping, according to his owner. Megson and Milo actually happened upon one another -- and Milo's talent. According to Megson, a friend of hers originally had Milo, but was pursing a policing career and had to give up the dog. Megson took over, Milo who even had a hand in choosing his own name. Megson said she favoured a name that began with the letter `M,' like her own surname and came up with a list of names beginning with M -- and it was Milo to which the dog responded. Megson came to Canada from England at the age of 19 and has made her home here for as many years. While she did work as a nanny, she has gone on to working with seniors and youths, while she studies psychology at university part-time. The road to New York began last fall, unknowingly to Milo and his owner, when Megson said she attended a party at her friend Jen VanLinthout's home and young Eric Kesik, of Oakville, asked if he could videotape an impromptu performance by Milo. Kesik then posted his video on YouTube under the title, Smartest Dog Ever. That's how it "Sometimes people treat their dogs badly and it angers me. Dogs are smart and can do amazing things." Sara Megson, Milo's owner came to the attention of The Rachael Ray Show, said Megson. On Friday, March 6, Megson said the show's producers were in touch with her and by Sunday, March 8, Megson's friend Debi Morris, of Oakville, had volunteered to drive Megson (who doesn't drive as she and Milo take the bus) and Milo stateside. With Milo safely tucked into his seatbelt in the back seat, the trio arrived in The Big Apple, taped the show, toured the city and came right back home, said Megson. "You don't think it's going to happen to you, especially when you don't go looking for it," she said. Megson had previously owned a miniature poodle in England and knew the dogs were intelligent and easy to train. When she first got Milo, Megson began training him right away, but it wasn't until after she'd been tutoring autistic and ADHD children that she began to wonder if Milo, who'd been sitting hours through the tutoring sessions, had been listening, too. She tried a couple of experiments and found that he had indeed been eavesdropping. "Sometimes people treat their dogs badly and it angers me. Dogs are smart and can do amazing things," said Megson. For example, Milo can read. According to his proud owner, he can distinguish letters and about 30 words. Megson said with the help of flash cards, she can show the words bed and bus to Milo and ask him which word has the u in it. He picks bus, she said. Milo selects by pointing his paw. Megson said Milo knows many shapes, colours, numbers and letters. He can count objects and then select the number that represents the total, she said. When shown objects, Milo can communicate which is the larger or smaller and taller or shorter, added Megson. He also has hundreds of tricks to his credit and adds a couple new ones each week. Megson said she trains Milo for one hour daily -- or takes him friendly visiting. With a shelf of toys that come from Mastermind at home, and a pet hamster, Milo has a full life. Megson said Milo has dog toys, but the children's toys are used in training sessions. She explained that rather than "tricks," she has attempted to teach Milo concepts. "It's a lot of work, but it's lots of fun, too," she said. On the tape made for airing on The Rachael Ray Show, Megson said she held up cards with Toronto and New York City on them and asked Milo to identify each city. He could tell the difference and communicated it accurately, she recounted. While Megson has not yet been given confirmation of when the show will air, The Rachael Ray Show airs on channels 11 and 12 (CITY-TV) and channels 6 and 7. To see the YouTube video that saw Milo "discovered," visit www.youtube.com/user/mrkesik2008. ADVERTORIAL HAIR DESIGN CO. GOES GREEN WITH ORGANIC HAIR COLOUR First opening its doors in 2003, Hair Design Co. was instantly recognized by the beauty industry and the patrons of Oakville for their innovative look; from their sleek minimal style in design to the most advanced equipment the hair industry has to offer. Their creative and ingenious idea of replacing mirrors with TVs, blow-dryers hanging from the ceiling and beautiful dark wood with plenty of stainless steel, all the while offering impeccable personal service with a down to earth environment. Their focus is simple, "the client". Local newspapers began to name Hair Design Co. "The New York Hair Salon of North Oakville". Shortly after, Hair Design Co. was nominated for "The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence", which is an award program dedicated to recognizing exemplary models of excellence and community service by Oakville's businesses. The Rotary Club of Oakville West, now in its 14th year, organizes the annual program, in association with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. They were up against retailers such as Longo's and Metro (formerly Dominion), to name a few. Their success in Oakville, led the company to open a second location, to offer that same level of service to the community of Burlington. This salon is located at the corner of Appleby Line and Dundas, which also offers a spa. Director of Hair Design Co. says, "My only concern is delivering the latest hair fashions with the most up to date products and services the industry has to offer. The team at Hair Design Co. is only concerned about one thing - hair." Hair Design Co. organizes yearly trips to New York where staff members attend intense training programs from the biggest hair moguls, and experience the wide spectrum of hair culture, from conservative to cutting edge styles offered by no better place than New York City. Now leading the way once again, the company would like to introduce the launch of "Essensity", a "Pure Certified Organic Line c of Colour" from Schwarzkopf Professional. A supernatural form of colour, which contains purest organic essences - no artificial fragrances, silicones, paraffin and mineral oils and parabens. For the first time, this will give pregnant women, people with allergic reactions, and the environmentally cautious the opportunity to experience a color solution that will give the hair a beautiful, natural tone and shine with up to ninety percent gray coverage. This color line is truly remarkable!! We invite you to come in for a complimentary consultation and see for yourself what beautiful results this color gives. We need to be thinking more ecologically & taking a more health conscious way to hair care. In keeping with their innovative nature, and as specialists in curly, unmanageable hair, they're also now offering Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola, an all-natural, revolutionary smoothing hair system, which infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle eliminating up to ninety-five percent frizz and curl from the hair. This salon specializes in curly haircuts, they needed to take a step further and offer clients something that allows them to manage their hair at home. This unique product, which is a first in the industry, will give all those women that have been battling dry, frizzy, curly, unmanageable hair a chance to have the hair they've dreamed about! The hair becomes more manageable and easier to maintain, reducing daily styling time. For many, this is truly a life changing experience. It will rejuvenate the hair, giving it the soft, silky feel that everyone is raving about. It is "skin care for your hair". The therapy encases the hair follicle with a keratin bond to promote healing and helps keep the toxins in the environment, such as smoke, pollution and ultraviolet rays from entering the hair. Hair Design Co. sends their clients out with traffic stopping, energized feminine looks! Come experience it for yourself! Call them or come in to see them for a complimentary consultation or to learn more about the great products and services they have to offer. You can also visit them on their website at www.hairdesignco.com. The Oakville salon is located at 2460 Neyagawa Blvd. at the corner of Dundas Street; they can be reached at 905.257.1300. 2460 Neyagawa Blvd. 905.257.1300.