Mate, named after Cyrus' Australian boyfriend, is her new, white German shepherd she bought from the Phillipses, who bred the dog. They have been breeding German shepherds for the past four years.

The Phillipses first made contact with the Cyrus family about a year and a half ago. Beryl noted Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, had a German shepherd of his own and suggested that Lewie should e-mail the family and ask them if they were in the market for another dog.

“I saw a picture of Billy Ray with his best friend, companion German shepherd,” Beryl said. “So I came home and told Lewie he should e-mail Billy Ray Cyrus and say if you are ever in the market you should take a look at our Web site.”

As much as a shot in the dark scenario as this was, Lewie followed through, e-mailed Cyrus through a fan Web site and then received a call from his wife, Tish.

“She called and said, ‘I love your dogs,'” Lewie said. “She went on and said how she would love to have one at some point. And so we occasionally e-mailed, and when we had a litter the first of November I e-mailed her and told her we had some pictures online and if she was interested to let me know.”

In that particular litter was one white puppy, in whom Tish Cyrus became interested.

“She asked tons of questions about it,” Lewie said. “She decided she wanted to give that one to Miley.”