My name is Taco (S24-181)!

Posted 1 day ago | Updated 6 hours ago

Cared for by National Mill Dog Rescue

Adoption process

Submit Application

Interview

Approve Application

Meet the Pet

Pay Fee

Sign Adoption Contract

Take the Pet Home

Adoption fee: $250

This helps National Mill Dog Rescue with pet care costs.

Or Apply to Adopt

My basic info

Breed

Maltese/Poodle (Miniature)

Color

White

Age

8 years 3 months old, Senior

Size

Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)

Weight

–

Sex

Male

Pet ID

My details

Spayed / Neutered

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

-I am bonded to Bella the Maltese and we are looking for a home together-

Taco is a lively, affectionate, and charismatic dog who has made remarkable progress during his time in foster care. He is currently on a prescription diet as he continues his weight-loss journey and will need a family committed to helping him stay active and healthy. Taco loves his walks, enjoys running, and is always ready for a game of fetch or a chance to play with his favorite toys. As he has slimmed down and grown more confident, his coat has filled in, giving him the appearance of a small, cuddly “Taco Bear.”

Taco is playful and goofy, but he also knows how to settle. He’s happy relaxing in his dog bed, resting in an open kennel, or lounging on the couch—though he does need a little lift to get up. He can navigate stairs but prefers help in the home where there is no carpet. At the park, however, he happily bounds up the steps with enthusiasm.

Taco is a dog who forms strong bonds with his people, and because of that, he can be a bit protective at times. With consistent guidance, he has made tremendous improvement. He responds very well to redirection, learns quickly, and continues to show progress. Slow, thoughtful introductions with other dogs set him up for success, and he does especially well with his bonded sister Bella—he trusts her completely and never guards around her. In fact, she helps bring out his most confident and relaxed self.

Like many dogs who have been through uncertainty, Taco sometimes needs reassurance when meeting new people or dogs. He can be vocal on leash or behind barriers, and he may get a bit nippy toward ankles or clothing when overly excited. However, he corrects easily and is eager to please, making him a wonderful match for someone who can offer structure, calm leadership, and patience. Because of his excitement levels, he would be best in a home without young children.

Despite these quirks, Taco is incredibly loving. He is affectionate, full of kisses, playful, funny, and devoted to his people. He is also fully house trained and has not had a single accident since entering foster care. He enjoys being near his humans but is comfortable when left alone as well.

Taco and Bella are a bonded pair who truly rely on one another. Bella provides him with comfort and stability, while Taco brings her companionship, warmth, and playfulness. They must be adopted together, as their connection is central to their continued happiness and growth.

Taco will thrive in a home willing to support his continued weight loss, offer daily walks and playtime, and guide him gently as he continues building confidence. With Bella by his side, he is ready to bring joy, humor, and unwavering love to a family who welcomes both of them.
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Before being rescued, many of our dogs had limited socialization, so they may need some time to adjust to life as a family pet. Older kids are often a great fit for our dogs, and homes with younger children will be considered based on each dog's individual needs. Skills like house training and leash walking may take a little extra patience and practice. However, with understanding and a gentle hand, most of these dogs adapt quite quickly. Being a part of their rehabilitation is a truly rewarding experience. To learn more about mill dogs and start the adoption process, visit our website!

Rescue

National Mill Dog Rescue

Contact info

Pet ID

Contact

Go to nmdr.org/our-dogs/adopt/ to apply!

Phone

(719) 683-3334

customerservice@nmdr.org

Website

https://nmdr.org/

Address

5335 JD Johnson Rd, Peyton, CO 80831

Donation

Donate to This Rescue

Their adoption process

1.
Submit Application

2.
Interview

We will set up a phone interview with you over email

3.
Approve Application

4.
Meet the Pet

We will help you set up a time where all family members and dogs can come and meet your potential new dog

5.
Pay Fee

Once you've found the right dog, you can take the dog home that day if they are ready to go home.

6.
Sign Adoption Contract

7.
Take the Pet Home

Additional adoption info

Adopting a retired mill dog can be a challenging experience. These dogs have had very little human contact and may take quite a bit of time adjusting to life as a "real" dog. Therefore, we consider each adoption a trial and never want an adoptive home to feel like they're stuck with a dog if there are problems. One thing that mill dogs need more than anything else is time. Barring any major problems, we ask that adopters give the dog a reasonable amount of time to adjust to its new home. Most of our dogs do remarkably well and bring lots of joy and a great sense of satisfaction to their new owners.

Persons interested in adopting one of our dogs must complete the Adoption Application on our website. Those who meet our requirements and who appear to be a good match for a dog will be interviewed by a NMDR home study volunteer. The next step would be to have a home check with all members of the family present. You will then be able to meet the dogs that are available. Adopting families will then sign a contract. We do not place dogs in homes that we believe will not work out, so please respect our decision.

Requirements for Adopting:

• We do require fenced yards in most cases. (It may be possible for an adult or senior dog to work out fine in a townhouse or condo environment, that have small enclosures/patio's). We will occasionally adopt to apartments dwellers but only on a case by case basis. Puppies will not go to homes where they will be left alone for many hours. Most of our dogs have lived in small cages all their lives and we would prefer for other methods other than crating be arranged for when the dog is home alone.

• All NMDR dogs will be primarily inside dogs - no dogs will live outside.

• All NMDR dogs will be provided with adequate fresh food and water, clean, dry shelter when outside, and daily exercise.

• All NMDR dogs will be provided with a safe collar with ID tags to be worn at all times.

• All adoptive families will obey all applicable laws governing control and custody of animals.

• All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed by the dog including but not limited to: yearly medical checkups and vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication.

• All NMDR dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog.

• NMDR assumes no responsibility nor shall they be held liable for any damages caused by the adopted animal to property, person or other pets. If any medical problems occur after adoption, NMDR is not liable for any medical bills.

• If you have other pets, they must be spayed/neutered if you adopt from us. Your other pets must be up to date on all vet care (shots and preventatives).

• If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of its life (regardless of whether you move, change jobs, or get divorced) then please rethink your decision to adopt a dog. Adoption is for the rest of the dog’s life and our rescued dogs have already had enough turmoil in their lives.

Adoption Fees:

$400 for puppies up to 11 months old
$350 for 1 year old to 7 years old
$250 for dogs older than 8 years old

Our expenses preparing our dogs for adoption are much greater than our fees cover. Donations above the adoption fees will help us continue our efforts to rescue dogs.

Adoption application

https://nmdr.org/our-dogs/adopt/

Go meet their pets

Thank you for your interest! If you have not already done so, please submit the adoption application found at this link: https://nmdr.org/our-dogs/adopt/ if you have already submitted an application-
Within 72 hours of receipt of your application, an Adoptions Team member will respond to you via EMAIL with instructions on next steps in the application process. Be sure to check your junk or spam email as well. Please note that it is best to not have a particular dog in mind as he or she could get adopted before you are approved to adopt. Your application is valid for 11 months and we are always rescuing dogs.
Once you are approved to adopt, you will be able to set up the meet and greet and you will also bring your dog or dogs with you. If you are looking to adopt from outside of Colorado, you do need to follow the above process, and if approved to adopt, you will need to travel to Colorado to meet and pick up your next family member. We do not allow shipping or transportation.

More about this rescue

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007, in honor of a forgiving little Italian Greyhound named Lily. Theresa Strader, NMDR’s Founder and Executive Director, rescued Lily from a dog auction in Missouri. Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom. Determined that her years of living in misery would not be in vain, Strader started NMDR, giving a voice to mill dogs across the country.