By Koh Hui Theng

THANKS to Miko, Mr Steven Wong expects his career to bloom.

Miko is not the marketingcommunications executive's wife - the 31-year-old is married to administrative executive Celine Gan, 27.

Rather, the other female in his life is his two-year-old Jack Russell, Miko. It seems to have reshaped his life as radically as any wife.

For instance, Mr Wong - who joined Pet Lovers Centre in 2006 - once put in long hours at his previous job, leaving the office at 1am.

Now he ensures he rushes home "for dinner and to see Miko".

"Having Miko means I'm working more efficiently and finishing things quickly so I can go home and eat with her. Otherwise, she will be hungry," says Mr Wong.

The pair - man and dog - eat around 9pm as Ms Gan returns home later, eating dinner after 10 pm.

Mr Wong's love for Miko also transformed his home, a four-room executive apartment.

Miko has three rooms to roam in when the Wongs are at work: a playroom with all its toys, a daytime resting room, plus a spare room with food and water.

Why does the canine deserve all this? Explains Mr Wong: "With Miko (in my life), I can understand pet owners' concerns and communicate better with them. The knowledge I gain...will help me forge ahead in the pet-care industry."

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