Dogs are known as man’s best friend and for a Japanese native the meaning has been taken to a whole new level.
A Japanese man has transformed himself into a canine after spending over $14k for a custom-Collie costume.
The private citizen, who goes only by Toco online, says the unusual garment has helped actualize his dream of “becoming an animal.”
A video shared to Toco’s YouTube channel, where he boasts more than 32,000 subscribers, shows him dressed in the costume as he frolics on a lawn, rolls on a floor, and plays fetch.
Toco has even uploaded a video of himself venturing out in public as a dog for the very first time.
Passersby appeared to be in awe of the man’s Collie debut as he walked down a busy street in the viral video, which attracted a total of 1.7 million views.
Toco completed the costume with a harness strapped around his furry abdomen, but admitted he was “nervous” and “scared” of venturing out in public.
“Do you remember your dreams from when you are little? You want to be a hero or a wizard,” he wrote in the clip, describing his life-dog dog dream as seemingly unrealistic. “I remember writing in my grade school graduation book that I wanted to be a dog and walk outside.”
Toco decided to answer questions in a video post about his unusual hobby. He admitted he always had a vague dream of becoming an animal ever since he was a small child.
“When I fulfilled that dream, this is how it turned out,” he wrote in the clip, adding that he chose to become a collie due to the negligible size difference between the breed and humans.
The company Zeppet, who manufactured Toco’s Collie costume, said it took 40 days to create Toco’s dream and $2 million Yen (USD $14,161).
“Modeled after a collie dog, it reproduces the appearance of a real dog walking on four legs,” the company’s spokesperson said.
However, even though Toco gained online fame for his puppy pursuit, the man still conceals his unusual proclivities from most of his friends and family.
“I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird,’ he said. “My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal.”
“Last year most of my colleagues are still unaware that I dress as a dog outside of work,” Toco added. “I don’t want my hobbies to be known, especially by the people I work with. They think it’s weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can’t show my real face.”
This is weird and unnatural. This man should be ashamed of himself! Furries are destroying our country!!! Only President Trump can put an end to this disgracefulness! Biden is a traitor!!!