News
Q104.3 Radio Personality Maria Milito
May 19, 2008, 5:49PM MT
By George C DeGiovanni
New York City Radio personality Maria Milito takes time to speak with Best Friends Network member George DeGiovanni.
New York City Radio personality Maria Milito takes time to speak with Best Friends Network member George DeGiovanni.
Written by George DeGiovanni, Best Friends Network.
Talking with Maria was a great opportunity to find out what drives her love for animals. Almost everyday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM you can hear her on Q104.3 and you will also hear announcements of some type of animal event like Dogswalk Against Cancer.
Maria has a passion for animals and that comes from her late Clarice, a bubbly happy pug who left this world in 2006 after bringing almost 16 years of love, happiness and compassion into Maria’s life. Maria had always wanted a dog as a child but never did. Her ex-husband was allergic to dogs and while watching the Westminster Kennel Club, she had heard about hypoallergenic dogs like pugs. She then found Clarice and that love from Clarice is what started Maria’s passion for animals. It opened her eyes to the world we know.
Maria’s love for Clarice gave her the drive to take part in animal charities like the Dogswalk Against Cancer. She was an active member of the Executive Committee and still is. She has been able to bring her views to the air waves in NYC. “Q104.3 gives me the freedom to talk about what is important to me” she said. “In December we have the Rock Marathon and many of the Jocks and staff choose charities that some of the money will go to and mine is an animal rescue or organization”.
When Clarice passed on, Maria wasn’t sure if she would have another dog or not. In time she was dog sitting for friends and volunteering for Animal Care and Control in Manhattan. She was enjoying this very much and knew that it was time to find a new friend.
So February 2008 while on the ACC site she discovered Mugsy. He was a 10 week old Bulldog and had this big head. Mugsy was given up to ACC because he had a cold. He was spoken for however and the person never came in for him. Maria had to have him and she got him. He was a sick puppy though but she got him the treatment he needed. “Mugsy was renamed Carmine The Big Ragu. The name came from the TV show Laverne & Shirley. Actor Eddie Mekka played this character Carmine “The Big Ragu” Ragusa. I liked the name” says Maria.
Maria was telling me that if she wasn’t a DJ, she would be a full time dog walker. She enjoys working for Q104 and wants to continue to get the word out to her listeners and New Yorkers about adopting, spay and neuter.
She attends many events in and around the NYC area that have to do with animals. She supports Best Friends Animal Society and watched Dogtown. She asked about Dogtown and if it was coming back. I told her not to worry as Dogtown will be back in the fall.
Visit Maria Milito’s DJ page on Q104.3.
Also, visit Maria’s Animal House for information on adoptions, events and animal pictures.
Photo Credits: Image of Maria with CTBR is taken by Jeanine Boubli.
Image of Clarice is by Maria Milito.