Milk

**Note: Currently, Milk is in a foster home in Toronto.

Milk was rescued from a high-kill shelter in Korea in the spring of 2019. He lived with other dogs at a boarding house near Seoul until he was taken to London, Canada. On Christmas Eve of the same year, he flew to Toronto to his new forever home. However, the happy life didn’t last very long. After four years of adoption, unfortunately, the adopter decided to surrender him. The decision was made due to Milk being reactive towards their newborn child. Since his rescue, Milk has shown a tendency to bite when he feels threatened or nervous. The adopter is concerned about the safety of their child. Unfortunately, we have to find a new safe forever home for Milk.

Milk typically requires time to get comfortable with new people and situations. Initially, he is quite cautious and may exhibit apprehensive behavior. Upon rescue, he would bark or attempt to bite those who had approached him. It took him more than a month to build trust with his vet technicians and boarding house manager. Eventually, he became affectionate and permitted various care activities such as snuggling, petting, teeth cleaning, nail trimming, bathing, and ear cleaning. While he still displays some challenging behaviors, particularly during grooming or unexpected interactions with strangers, Milk is a very loyal and adorable boy who appreciates having his own space and boundaries.

Likes

• Milk loves playing with tissues (Kleenex, toilet paper), mini Kong, balls, and squeaky toys.
• He often plays by himself and likes to run around the home when feeling energetic.
• He loves treats and is very food-driven.
• Milk loves walking on a leash and running loose on paths or in grassy areas. He tends to pull on the leash in parking lots/open spaces. When walking on the sidewalk, he might become stubborn to make room when another person is walking toward him.
• While at dog parks, Milk enjoys following other dogs obsessively.
• He loves interacting with other dogs regardless of their sizes.
• He enjoys ripping grass out of the ground with his mouth and chasing after you.
• Milk also enjoys riding in a bicycle basket and handles car rides quite well. He loves exploring a fenced-in backyard freely.
• He likes to stretch his legs after lying down and snores while he sleeps.
• He enjoys getting brushed for a short of time.
• With someone he is comfortable around, you can pet him, rub his belly, and he will give you licks.

Dislikes

• It is important to tell others not to touch him and to respect his boundaries. If people ask to pet him, we say no as he may or may not bite if they persist, leading to stress.
• Milk tends to avoid a lot of eye contact. Therefore, please do not use your hand or put your face in front of his face when interacting with him.
• He cannot go up or down stairs except for a few steps outside.
• He dislikes grooming associated with his face and paws and may growl. The previous adopter used anxiety medication during grooming or a vet visit to calm him down. However, he was fine when being handled by an experienced groomer without anxiety medication in Korea.
• He does not like being kissed but enjoys falling asleep on you, being held, and being carried in a baby sling.
• Milk may jump up on your legs, but it does not always mean he wants to be touched.
• His paws are too sensitive to salt on the ground or very cold sidewalks.

More about him

• Milk exhibits territorial/nervous marking behavior at home when he is in a new place or gets anxious.
• Milk needs his own space to sleep and rest when feeling overwhelmed or wanting to be alone. He is very protective over his space and what’s in it, particularly his blankets and pillows.
• Milk tends to gravitate towards calm individuals who ignore him and let him approach them.
• With people, he is more comfortable with women. He is the type who builds a strong bond with his parent and is not very interested in others.
• He can do a “high-five” and will put up his right paw for you to hold for a second, often signaling that he wants to be petted.
• Milk can sit and spin around for a treat but won’t put his bum all the way down.

Health

Milk recently had dental procedures that included scaling and extracting a bunch of teeth. Despite having a few teeth left, he is now free of pain. He underwent a thorough veterinary check-up confirming his overall good health, with particular attention to his heart and legs. His vaccinations are up to date. He is neutered and takes monthly preventative measures for ticks and fleas.

Ideal adopter

The ideal adopter for Milk would be someone who has experience with dogs like Milk, understands his needs, and knows how to communicate effectively with him. Milk appreciates people who are calm, confident, and relaxed, as he tends to mirror their demeanor. 

The best adopter for Milk would be a mature or retired couple without children or frequent visitors. They should live in a calm home, matching Milk’s temperament. Providing a peaceful environment where he can have his own space when needed is crucial. Milk enjoys the company of other dogs, particularly if they are friendly and gentle, making a home with such companions an excellent fit for him.

We are looking for his true forever family, who believes that he is the most important being in the world and would never give up on him, no matter what.