Some people aren’t content to be just human beings. They want to be a dog also. That’s because that is a lot more fun than their actual life. So a man in Japan has taken this one step further and actually spends his spare time roaming parks as a dog.
He says that always wanted to be a dog ever since he was a child. He told a Japanese news group Mynavi: “I remember writing in my grade school graduation book that I wanted to be a dog and walk outside.”
The man’s real name is not known to the public. He holds a regular job in Japan, but what he does, only a few close friends and family know. He doesn’t want his colleagues to find out. They might think he’s crazy.
He had a unbelievably realistic Collie dog costume made. The costume was made by a Tokyo based company called Zeppet. They have a studio that makes costumes, along with special effects for television and internet. The dog costume was a custom job that took 40 days to make. It cost just under USD$14,000 dollars.
When he wears the costume, it makes him look like a very large full coated Rough Collie. Most real Collies stand at about 26 inches high, but this dog looks like it’s been taking steroids and eating fast food all its life. The American Kennel Club says that Collies are swift, athletic dogs. But not this one. When Toco lumbers around the park, he looks as big as a baby elephant.
The man (dressed as Toco) has a social media channel, and posts videos to his followers. Many people are supportive and understand why it might be nice to get some affection as a dog. Many people don’t get much affection as adults. This happens a lot in Japan with an aging population and strict rules about how you should behave in your life.
Some people are freaked out, and can’t understand what would make this man do what he does. Is it some animal fetish, or a man just losing his grip on reality? Some comments on YouTube are quite sad about it:
But the man doesn’t care. His double life as Toco the dog is a great pastime that he’s not going to give up. It’s something he’s wanted to do for a long time. And he can spend his money how he likes, even if it’s on a bizarre but somewhat lifelike Rough Collie outfit.
The man was reported by Euronews as saying: “This is my hobby, so I will carry on. It makes me happy and other people happy, too.”
