This Morning viewers were left accusing ITV of failing to “read the room” on Monday when the show dedicated a portion of its show to speaking to a woman who identifies as a dog.
Milk, a 20-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, claimed she’d been living as a Pomeranian puppy after experiencing “lifelong feelings of dog energy”.
“Milk loves nothing more than barking, playing with toys, and going on walks with her forever friends and her handler, Star,” presenter Cat Deeley told viewers.
“And she joins us today live from Pennsylvania alongside her dad, Mike, who is her biggest supporter. Good morning to you both.”
Milk explained to the hosts: “So, dog energy is also related to komodomimis, which is a person who likes to wear ears and a tail as an aesthetic.
“I personally started identifying a year ago, actually. It came across my TikTok feed and I fell in love instantly.”
Ms Deeley then quizzed Milk on why she chose the Pomeranian as the breed to identify with. “Okay, so it’s a funny story,” Milk replied.
“When I was little, I remember being obsessed with, like, the cutest dog in the world. I used to have the calendars and see them all around in the mall and everything. And I was like, ‘Wait, Pomeranians are so cute.’ And since I’m short, it kind of just works.”
Ben Shephard then weighed in: “And so, I don’t think anyone would argue that you can do whatever you’d like to do if that’s how you’re feeling. But of course, this is becoming more of a way of life for you, Milk, isn’t it?
“It’s not just something you enjoy doing in your spare time, like lots of people will dress up and do all sorts of different things that they enjoy. This is really governing how you feel and how you go about your everyday life now, isn’t it?
“Why do you feel like it’s not just something you want to enjoy in your bedroom, but it’s something you want to explore in the wider world as well?”
The This Morning guest replied: “I feel like everyone needs to kind of not be sensitive about certain styles. Since it is mostly just me, it really shouldn’t be a problem for other people to see.
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“And just for them to – not necessarily accept it – but to understand it in a way of just being like, ‘Oh, this person isn’t harming anyone. This is just someone who just wants to have a good time and have fun and just dress up.'”
Mr Shephard and Ms Deeley then turned to Milk’s dad, Mike, to ask what his reaction to his daughter’s lifestyle decision was.
“Well, she’s always been different, I want to say, since many years ago. She was always acting like a dork, so we thought it was like a fad at the time,” Mike replied.
“But over time, we started learning, okay, she really likes doing this stuff. It’s not just something she just wants to dress up and be, but this is who she wants to be. It took us a little bit to get used to it, but this is what she is now.”
Mike then conceded his wife isn’t as understanding about Milk’s choices as he is, before the two delved into the intricacies of living while identifying as a dog despite being a human.
Soon after the discussion, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t just Milk’s mother who wasn’t particularly on board with the 20-year-old’s lifestyle choice.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, several viewers blasted ITV for giving the subject airtime, with many claiming that Milk was merely “attention seeking” and that the channel shouldn’t be “forcing nonsense” onto its viewers.
“Nope nope nope, I just can’t do it… just can’t watch someone mentally ill pretending to be a dog… tv off #thismorning,” one viewer raged before a second hit out: “An idiot that identifies as a dog you are paying this person money @ITV READ THE ROOM! #ThisMorning.”
“It’s time to turn off the TV. She wants to be a dog??? And her parents called her Milk? Nope, I’m off! #ThisMorning,” a third similarly fumed.
“Seriously this is for attention, you don’t think you’re a dog, get a job #thismorning,” added a fourth before a fifth slammed the show: “I don’t care if you want to self identify as dog or even a tree, doesn’t mean you can force your nonsense onto me for your own self publicity & #ThisMorning doesn’t need to pander to people’s egos.”
A sixth concurred: “Witnessing the dumbing down of the UK live on TV. Child who identifies as a dog, now toe wrestling… F*** this s***. Ben & Cat, what is wrong with you pair??!! #ThisMorning”
“Oh for f*** sake!! Right, TV OFF!!!!!!!!!! @ITV need to take a long hard look at themselves. It’s not even worth calling rubbish #ThisMorning,” a seventh argued before another slammed: “Why are we giving this idiot airtime? ITV NO ONE is interested! #ThisMorning.” (sic)
