A Japanese man who has embraced life as a "dog", going by the name Toco when he dons his furry suit, recently took on an agility course with unexpected results.
Toco, who has spent a staggering $15,000 to "become a dog," has gained significant attention and a devoted following in recent years. His journey began to capture headlines last year when videos of his incredibly lifelike dog suit surfaced online.
Since then, he has been sharing his experiences and adventures as Toco through his YouTube channel, aptly named "I want to be an animal."
In recent months, Toco has taken his canine transformation to the next level, even purchasing a dog crate to sleep in and documenting his walks while wearing a leash.
His most recent escapade featured Toco tackling an agility course in a video uploaded to YouTube earlier this month. The video started with Toco's familiar introduction, which involves startling real-life dogs with his impressive canine persona.
However, Toco's agility journey hit an early snag when he attempted a jump but awkwardly landed on the bar, a few feet off the ground. Dog trainer and owner of Trinity Border Collies, Brianne Farr, pointed out that such a landing would lead to an automatic disqualification in a real competition.
Farr remarked to the New York Post, "I don’t know how he maneuvers in that contraption because it looks like it’s challenging for sure." She also highlighted Toco's slow momentum leading up to the jump, which would be a red flag in a real tournament.
Despite the jump mishap, Toco persevered and successfully navigated other obstacles commonly found in dog agility courses. Farr gave him credit for correctly tackling the weave poles, even though he faced challenges along the way.
Farr concluded, "He definitely needs to work on his jumping skills. Overall, I think it was a bit of a struggle for him."
While Toco may appear enigmatic to some, he clarified his reasons for wanting to become a dog in an earlier interview with the New York Post. He explained, "My desire to be an animal is like a desire to transform…a desire to be something that I am not."
Toco confessed that he wears his dog costume about once a week, primarily within the confines of his home.
Remarkably, Toco's unique hobby has been met with acceptance and support from his family. Despite the initial surprise, he shared, "The family was surprised, but received it favorably. I am very happy that they accepted it."
As Toco continues to explore life as a dog, his journey remains an intriguing and unique chapter in the world of self-expression.
.jpg_X2ufuc?tr=h-40)
.jpg_X2ufuc?tr=h-184)