Seven-month-old Satoimo is nothing like his rather unusual name, which in Japanese means "taro," a vegetable similar to a potato.

This long-legged beauty is no spud; he's spanking gorgeous and expected to grow to about the size of a small Labrador, about 20-25 kg. Despite his size, Satoimo is shy and at times does seem like he would like to disappear into the ground.

He was found living in the mountains with his somewhat wild clan, but Satoimo has "done wonderfully" in his Tokyo foster home. Still a bit nervous around people, he loves other dogs and tries desperately to befriend those he meets. If his advances are rebuffed, Satoimo will look sadly apologetic and even more endearing.

This dog would make a lovely companion for another dog in need of a friend. And with the right friends, Satoimo himself will grow into an ever more confident and trustworthy partner. Now that's wild!

If you are interested in adopting Satoimo, email ARK at [email protected] or call 050-1557-2763 Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Tokyo ARK is an NPO founded by Briton Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective owners are requested to undergo a screening process.