He was Attacking Everyone, Until I Found Out Why!
When Milo arrived at the shelter, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a typical case. The small dog, likely once white but now matted, filthy, and covered in burrs, cowered in the corner of his kennel. He wasn’t just frightened—he was in pain. Rocky Kanaka, known for his “Sitting with Dogs” series, met Milo and quickly realized that traditional methods of gaining trust wouldn’t work. “This poor dog is really bad,” Rocky said, emotionally choked up as he watched Milo shake with fear. “You can tell this dog has been through some serious neglect.”
Layers of Neglect and Pain
What Milo had endured was far beyond what meets the eye. His tiny body was weighed down by massive matting. Hidden within the fur were burrs—dozens of sharp, prickly spines embedded so deeply they were wrapped in fur and pressing into his skin. Every attempt to touch or help him resulted in defensive aggression, not because Milo was mean, but because pain had taught him that human contact hurts. As Rocky examined the damage, he found raw skin and what appeared to be broken nails from endless scratching and digging. “You don’t accidentally let a dog get into this condition,” he said. “His owner did this to him.”
A New Approach: Standing With Dogs
Realizing Milo wasn’t ready to be approached or touched, Rocky shifted his method. Instead of “Sitting with Dogs,” this time, it was about “Standing with Dogs.” Giving Milo space while offering quiet companionship proved more effective. It allowed the scared dog to stay in control. Over time, small breakthroughs happened. Milo sniffed Rocky’s hand, accepted a treat, and leaned ever so slightly into gentle words of reassurance.
A Medical Emergency Groom
It became clear that Milo needed a medically induced grooming—he was in too much pain to withstand a typical grooming session. Mel, a trusted groomer, stepped in and, with sedation provided by the vet team, began to shave away months (if not years) of neglect. Beneath the mats and burrs, raw, irritated skin and signs of long-term discomfort were revealed. But also, under all the tangles and fear, was a dog ready for a new life.
Before the grooming, Milo had been labeled aggressive. But Rocky urged viewers to see beyond those notes on a kennel card: “That is not the dog he is,” he said. “He’s scared. He’s in pain. He’s reacting the only way he knows how.” After the grooming, Milo’s entire demeanor shifted. He drank water for the first time in hours. He accepted food. And when placed with a group of calm dogs, something magical happened—a tiny tail wag. “It was so small,” Rocky pointed out in the video. “But it was everything.”
Will Milo Go to the Farm?
Rocky and his wife, Kelly, run a rehabilitation farm where dogs like Milo can decompress and begin to trust again. While they consider whether Milo will join the farm pack, the first priority is ensuring he’s pain-free and emotionally stable. “Sometimes, we have to divide and conquer,” Rocky explained. “But we always make sure dogs like Milo get the help they need—whether that’s here or at the farm.”
The Power of Community
Throughout Milo’s journey, one thing has been clear: it takes a village. From the vet staff who carefully sedated and monitored him, to the grooming team, to Alexis and the filming crew, everyone played a part. Rocky also reminded viewers that their support—through sharing, subscribing, and donations—makes this work possible. He credits Sunday’s Dog Food for stepping in to sponsor Milo’s recovery with high-quality nutrition. “We’ve seen what this food can do for neglected dogs. It transforms them,” he said.
Healing Will Take Time—But It’s Possible
Milo’s story echoes those of other dogs Rocky has helped, like Ari and Kay—both of whom were also withdrawn and defensive when they first arrived. With time, patience, and compassion, they blossomed into loving companions and were adopted into wonderful homes. Rocky is hopeful the same can happen for Milo. “It might not seem like much, but that one moment of trust—when he let me touch his forehead—that means we’re getting somewhere.”
Call to Action: Help Milo Heal
Now, Rocky and the team are calling on the community to share Milo’s story far and wide. He’s not quite ready for adoption, but he will be. And when that time comes, he’ll need a home that understands the scars left behind by trauma—and is ready to replace fear with love.
“Whether he ends up at the farm or finds healing here at the shelter,” Rocky says, “one thing is certain: we’re not giving up on him. We’re standing with him—until the very end.”
