Atlas

🐾 Affectionate, quiet, people-oriented
💥 Energy level: Medium
🐈 Good with cats
🐕 Would be happiest as the only dog in the home
👶 Can be tested with children
👽 Good with new people

❄ What makes Atlas special: Atlas is very athletic and his favourite hang-out spots are on top of the wooden dog houses​

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We rescued Atlas from the government shelter in the spring of 2026. During a visit to the government shelter, we spotted him at the back of his kennel looking terrified, and covered in bite marks. This poor boy has clearly been through a lot. Underweight, and covered in scars, he seemed to have completely given up when we got him out. He was so grateful to finally be safe in the Melez enclosure! Now we are slowly seeing him get his spark back and become happier and more at ease.

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Atlas is a calm, somewhat older dog. He's quiet, doesn't move around much, and generally prefers to keep to himself. At the shelter, he tends to stay tucked away in one peaceful corner, that is, until people show up at his kennel. Then a completely different Atlas emerges: a happy, cheerful dog who happily leaves his spot to come over for cuddles!

 

If there's one thing you need to know about Atlas, it's this: he's absolutely crazy about people. As far as he's concerned, people are the best thing on the planet, and he lights up whenever they're around. He lives for attention and gives the best cuddles imaginable. He's not remotely shy with new people either; he genuinely likes everyone, and craves connection with people more than anything, wanting nothing more than to be by your side as much as possible.

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Atlas is incredibly gentle, and at first, quite careful about how he approaches you. But once he's decided you're a friend, he gets to know you better and better, growing happier and more exuberant along the way.

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After everything he's been through, Atlas wants absolutely nothing to do with other dogs. He shares a kennel with several others, and as long as they leave him alone, he's perfectly content, he just wants no interaction whatsoever. Male dogs in particular make him uncomfortable. With female dogs, he might allow himself a quick sniff before going right back to doing his own thing.

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Because of this, he'll be happiest as the only dog in the household. Out on walks, he'll do everything he can to avoid interacting with other dogs; all he wants is to go about his business calmly, without being bothered by anyone else on four legs.

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Atlas is a clever, surprisingly agile dog. He climbs with ease to the very top of the dog houses, carving out a private little spot for himself where none of the other dogs can reach him. As a bonus, it also gives him a perfect view over the entire shelter.

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Away from the shelter, Atlas is quite anxious and cautious. He never walks out in front, choosing instead to trail behind you, hesitant and constantly glancing around. Traffic terrifies him. His solution is simple: he'll try to wedge himself under the nearest parked car.

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In quiet surroundings, though, he does gradually start to come out of his shell. With a little encouragement, he'll walk along nicely, though he stays alert the whole time. We think he'll eventually come to love long, peaceful walks, as long as they're somewhere quiet and natural. A busy park full of cyclists, other dogs, noise and commotion simply isn't the right fit for Atlas.

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And yet, every now and then, a different side of Atlas shines through: in calm moments, when he's feeling truly comfortable, he suddenly becomes noticeably more cheerful and lively, even showing off a playful streak from time to time!

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Atlas needs a calm home base where he can feel completely safe. Somewhere quiet, with a predictable daily routine and no pressure to be anything other than himself. He'll adore having long cuddle sessions with his adopters, lazing around together, and going on peaceful, unhurried walks.

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Atlas is a dog who has known nothing but disappointment and fear his entire life. He may never have experienced a single moment of true happiness. But despite everything, Atlas is such a loving soul, and he longs more than anything to finally belong to a family of his own. He truly deserves that.

 

For his adopters, there will be nothing quite like watching him curl up contentedly in his own bed, or trotting along happily by their side outdoors, knowing that, thanks to them, he's finally, truly happy for the very first time in his life.

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Atlas is currently in Turkey and is ready to travel to the UK or the EU.

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​Our dogs arrive in their homes microchipped, up to date on their Rabies and Mixed vaccinations, spayed/neutered, dewormed and deflead and tested for Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania and Anaplasma. The dogs visit the vets for a final health check before they travel. If needed, their teeth are cleaned and X-Rays are taken of any potential areas of concern. Any concerns or potential health issues we are aware of will be communicated with you beforehand.

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