You can first meet Meeko on the road near his shack. If you approach he'll bark and run to his shack, trying to lead you there. Perhaps he was hoping you could help his owner.
Cyrus: "I've not returned to Morrowind since then." Tobias: "Who'd want to?! All that ash and fire; those Dark Elves can keep their curse!" Cyrus: "Don't forget the bugs." Tobias: "Ach!"
--Cyrus and Tobias discussing how they do not desire to ever return to Morrowind.