Weird But True
exclusive
‘Human collie’ speaks: I want to meet other ‘dogs’ — and be in movies
Just weeks after taking his first public walk on all fours, the Japanese man-dog now known around the world as “the human collie,” thanks to his extreme commitment to cosplay, has granted an exclusive interview to The Post.
The very good boy, who answers to “Toco,” achieved internet notoriety after spending a whopping $14,000 on a custom-made collie costume he wears in public to help him realize his dream of “becoming an animal” and posted the .
Now, the human-c𒀰um-canine has chosen to reveal the secrets behind his u♒nconventional life.
“The reason I chose a collie dog breed specifically is primarily because I like raising them,” dished the doggelgänger, who has owned multiple pups in the past.
He added, “Secondly, because if it wasn’t a naturally large size breed, it wouldn’t look unnaturally disproportionate when worn by someone as a costume.”
Toco added that the collie’s long fur helps “camouflage the human form discreetly.”
And after achieving his doggie dream, Toco now has another wish — to become a movie star. (Get ready for a different type of “Dog Day Afternoon.”)
“I think it would be great if I were able to use my skills and get the opportunity to appear as a dog in a movie,” he yelped.
The Japanese native also revealed that he long dreamed of living as an animal, but could never muster up the courage prior to ordering his current collie costume.
“Approximately two and a half years ago … I actually spoke to several companies about wanting to make a realistic dog costume like this,” Toco explained.
Once he found someone willing to take on the project, the furry fashion garment 🅷took about🌼 six months to construct. It was finally completed in spring of last year.
And after wearing the costume in private for almost 12 months, Toco made his doggy debut earlier this summer; the video of his first walk wound up going viral across multiple platforms.
Since that time, he has🌌 grownꦿ more comfortable being out and about while clad in costume and has been filmed playing fetch and even pretending to eat dog food.
Toco has gone so far as to create his own
An🌳d while Toco has revealed his puppy proclivities to his family, his next step is to find others to mix with — doggy style.
“I think it would be great if something like this existed,” he said, speaking of meetups for those who also liked to dress up in dog costumes. “I would like to meet them.”
One psychologist has previously declared that Toco is a “therian” — someone who identifies with a nonhuman species — and not a “furry,” referencing a subculture in which people dress up as dogs and other animals and may partake in sexual activity with one another.
Toco admits that it’s often physically strenuous spending much of his day on all fours, but says it’s worth it for the sense of fulfillment he feels.
“Rather than being tough or physically uncomfortable, the feelings of excitement and fun I receive from this experience are stronger,” he said.
