'I live my life as a dog and it's the happiest I've ever been - I love puppy play'

If you're going about your daily business and you spot a dogin the park, the likelihood is that you may smile, perhaps walk over to pet it, but then you'll get on with your day. What would you do if you spotted a person dressedas a dog? Twenty-year-old Milk, who found out about kemonomimi a year ago, says that she knew straightaway that she wanted to be an inumimi.

For those not in the know, kemonomimi is a Japanese term for characters in anime, manga, and other media. It refers to human characters with animal-like features, most commonly animal ears and a tail, in addition to their human-like anatomy. Inumimi is a person who wears dog ears, and can directly translate as 'dog daughter,' according to Wiki Fur.

Milk, who is from the US, explained she's very "respectful" about wearing her ears and tail, and won't wear them around someone if they feel "uncomfortable".

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But she did say that dressing as a dog has changed her life for the better. Milk exclusively told The Mirror: "I feel honestly so happy I have met such amazing people who are also kemonomimis and made me love to express myself even more.

"Most people are very excited when they see me. They love my style, and they love how my ears match my hair".

However, she has had some bizarre instances of "people meowing" at her. "Which doesn’t make sense since I’m obviously a dog," Milk quipped.

She does say that sometimes people are "judgmental" of what she does, but she doesn't let any haters get her down.

For example, in a recent interview posted on Instagram, one user said: "I'd definitely encourage eating dog food, having a kennel outside, obviously no phones or iPads (what dog needs those?), no makeup, and only dog shampoo to wash in once a month.

"Getting nails clipped by a vet and regular worming treatment. No fast food or chocolate, as it's really bad for dogs and only water to drink. See how long it lasts after that".

To the haters, she said that you "have a right" to judge her, and it "can hurt," but she acknowledges that she "can't stop you from thinking the way you do".

Milk said: "If you don't get it, you don't get it, I'm not going to force you".

However, some people do get it, as one of Milk's online friends came to her defence, writing: "Fellow kemonomimi here! Milk is an online friend and is super sweet and easy to get along with! We don’t believe we’re dogs, we just feel more comfortable expressing ourselves with ears, tails, and 'dog-like' energy!!

"For me personally, it’s a coping mechanism as well as a hobby, but we’d never encourage other people to 'be dogs', we simply use it to express who we are. Kinda like makeup! At the end of the day, though, it’s harmless and all in good fun".

She even has a "handler," which is a friend who "takes care" of her by walking her, petting her, or even playing tug of war.

"My handler is an amazing friend as well. We don't see each other as often, but we do try to meet like once every couple of weeks since we live far apart," Milk explained.

So, her friends are accepting of her lifestyle choice, but what about her parents? In a recent ITV This Morning appearance, Milk and her dad, Mike, were interviewed, and her dad explained that her mum hadn't been the most accepting of the decision at first.

However, Milk says that her parents are "very proud" of her for being able to "express" herself.

"At first, they thought it was a little weird, and then they found out I was streaming as well, and they are now more welcoming than ever," she explained.

Milk said that if you're "curious to try kemonomimi fashion" then you should just "try it".

She said: "If you want to go deeper become a therian [an individual who identifies as a non-human animal to some degree] that's a whole other deal with kemonomimis.

"But if you want to get into puppy play like me, go ahead! It's honestly really fun, and if you don't like it, you don't!"