Meet Milo, the "Butterfly King" Who's Inspiring People to Slow Down and Appreciate Nature

Some dogs have a special connection with nature. For Jen Bennett’s 8-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Milo, that couldn't be more true. 

“He loves nothing more than spending time in our garden with his butterfly friends.”

His hundreds of thousands of followers have even given him the nickname, "The Butterfly King." Milo has become an unlikely ambassador for butterflies, inspiring people around the world to slow down, appreciate the outdoors, and create spaces where wildlife can thrive.

According to Jen, it all started in 2019 during the incredible Painted Lady butterfly migration through Southern California. While thousands of butterflies filled the sky and people gathered to admire the spectacle, Milo quietly sat in the garden, watching them flutter by.

Rather than chasing them, he simply observed them.

That moment revealed just how calm, curious, and respectful Milo was around butterflies, inspiring Jen to create a garden where they could return year after year.

A Garden Shared With Butterflies

Since then, Jen has created her own butterfly garden filled with plants that provide food and places for butterflies to lay their eggs. What started as a handful of butterfly-friendly plants has grown into a thriving backyard habitat designed to support pollinators. 

They put a special focus on supporting Monarch butterflies, whose populations have declined dramatically. Milkweed, the only plant Monarchs lay their eggs on, is the heart of their garden. As a bonus, hummingbirds love many of the same flowers, bringing even more life and color to our backyard habitat.

One of the most remarkable parts of the garden isn't just the butterflies themselves—it's watching Milo interact with them.

“Milo doesn't just enjoy being around butterflies—he's remarkably calm with them. Sometimes they'll even land right on his nose,” Jen shared with Dogster. “We've made flower crowns for him, and butterflies will gently perch on the blooms to sip nectar while he patiently watches. Seeing them together is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we peacefully coexist with nature.” 

The peaceful scenes have become some of Milo's signature moments online and beautifully illustrate the idea that sometimes the best way to connect with nature is not to chase it, but simply to create a welcoming place for it and wait for it to arrive.

A Tiny Butterfly in Need

One particularly memorable encounter began when Milo discovered an injured butterfly resting on the ground.

Jen watched as he carefully approached the butterfly, gently sniffing it with curiosity, seemingly wondering why it wasn't flying away.

“We brought the butterfly inside and made a small flower arrangement filled with fresh blooms so it could feed and regain its strength. Butterflies drink nectar using their long, straw-like tongue (called a proboscis), and it was fascinating to watch it slowly recover as it fed,” explains Jen.

Daily, Milo regularly checked on his tiny friend.

When the butterfly was finally strong enough to return to the garden after a few days, Jen returned it to the garden, and Milo sat beside her as they watched it spread its wings and fly away—a simple but unforgettable moment.

Inspiring a Community to Appreciate Nature

Today, Milo has built a community of more than half a million followers across social media, and his butterfly adventures have been featured on Good Morning America and Access Daily. 

His story has inspired countless people to spend more time outdoors, plant milkweed and other pollinator-friendly flowers, and create habitats that support butterflies and other wildlife.

While Milo has become an internet sensation, he remains blissfully unaware of the impact he's having. He's simply a gentle dog who enjoys sitting among the flowers, quietly sharing his garden with the butterflies around him.

If Milo has one message to share, it's a simple one: stop to smell the flowers, spend a little more time outside, maybe—just maybe—a butterfly will choose to land on your nose, too.

You can follow Milo's adventures on Instagram at @milo_the_toller