A man who spent thousands of dollars to ‘become a dog’ is now opening his own ‘zoo’.
Yes, you read the above line correctly: a man paid an eye-watering $14,000 to live out his dream of becoming a Border Collie.
Of course he didn’t literally become a dog, but YouTuber Toco purchased an eerily realistic-looking dog suit and proceeded to live like a dog – crate and all.
To really prove that he was a dog, Toco even took part in an agility course.
Now he wants people to live their best doggy lives too, and has opened a Japan-based ‘zoo’.
Taking to Instagram to announce the unusual news, Toco penned in October: “We are opening a zoo where you can become an animal, where you can make your dream of becoming an animal come true!”
The post continued: “I have had the dream of becoming an animal since I was a child, and I have made it come true in the form of a mascot costume. When I was young, I thought, ‘It would be nice if there was a service where you could become an animal. Maybe there is something I can do now for people who have the same thoughts as me?'”
Named Tocotoco Zoo, people are able to go there to ‘wear a mascot costume and become an animal’.
People can become an Alaskan Malamute at the ‘zoo’ (@toco.ev/Instagram)
The unique business venture is believed to now be open, having opened its doors on January 26.
As per its site, the only animal option currently available is for people to become an Alaskan Malamute.
According to The Express US, it costs a whopping $250 to hire the suit for a morning or afternoon.
You have to make reservations 30 days in advance, and there’s a warning that people with ‘stiff muscles’ may struggle to get into the Malamute suit.
Toco’s own Border Collie suit isn’t available for reservations.
The dog suit is extremely realistic (@toco.ev/Instagram)
As to why he chose to become that breed of dog, the YouTuber previously revealed to Mynavi: “I chose a collie because of my preference and because I wanted it to look realistic when made into a costume.
“I like animals that walk on four legs, and I especially like cute animals. Among those, I thought that a large animal that is close to us would be best for a realistic design, so I decided to go with a dog.
“Long-haired dogs can disguise their human body shape, so I chose a collie, which met those criteria and is a breed I’ve always liked.”
Each to their own!
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I get paid over $220 per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I would be able to do it but my best friend earns over $35,000 a month>>>> WorkHighs.Com
this is a big …
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Featured Image Credit: toco.ev/Instagram
Niamh Shackleton
Asia’s richest man spent jaw-dropping amount of money on son’s pre-wedding event which Rihanna sang at
The festivities were three days long.
While most couples simply have a rehearsal dinner ahead of their wedding, Mukesh Ambani went above and beyond for his son’s big day.
As of 2024, Ambani is thought to have a net worth of around $117 billion – making him India‘s richest man.
Meanwhile, he’s the ninth richest man in the world, according to Forbes.
As to how he made his riches, Ambani runs Reliance Industries, a firm set up by his late father in 1966.
Initially a small textile manufacturer, the company is multinational conglomerate with businesses ranging in telecoms, energy and retail.
Ambani has three children with his wife Nita: Anant, 28, Akash, 32, and Isha, also 32.
Last weekend marked Anant’s pre-wedding, and it’s safe to say his father spared no expense.
Celebrities from far and wide flocked to Jamnagar, India, including tech powerhouses, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.
Ivanka Trump was also in attendance, as well as Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan, Ram Charan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan.
Prodip Guha/Getty Images
If that wasn’t enough, Ambani also hired Rihanna for an exclusive concert – with the mom-of-two reportedly being paid a staggering $6.3 million for the 16-song set.
While she performed some of her best-loved tracks such as ‘Diamonds’, ‘Work’ and ‘Rude Boy’, Rihanna was criticized by some for doing the ‘bare minimum’ for such a huge amount of money.
The songstress was later seen partying with other guests and twerked the night away.
With the huge amount Ambani paid for Rihanna alone, many have questioned how much the billionaire spent in total – and it was a lot.
According to Daily Mail, the three-day festivities cost $152 million (and that doesn’t even include the wedding itself).
His son isn’t set to wed his bride, Radhika Merchant, until July 12 and, if their actual nuptials are anything like the pre-wedding, wedding guests will be in for a treat.
SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images
In the wake of the reports of how much he spent, Ambani has received some criticism from those who live in poverty near to where the festivities took place.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Usman Ali, 44, shared that he makes just $5 a day selling tea.
“I’ve heard about this wedding party and how much is being spent,” he told the news outlet. “But I don’t understand the sums they are talking about because it’s another world for me.
“I can’t even say £120 million, let alone think about it.”
But others have come to the multibillionaire’s defence saying that what Ambani does with his money ‘is his business’.
Featured Image Credit: Hindustan Times / Contributor/Twitter
Topics: News, World News, Money, Rihanna
Niamh Shackleton
Horrifying video shows moment dog started house fire after chewing through portable battery as warning issued
In a terrifying split second, the dog was able to set the room on fire
A dog has the reputation of man’s best friend, but my best friend would be in a lot of trouble if they managed to set my home alight in a matter of seconds.
Now, as if there wasn’t enough stuff to worry about, you now have to consider the scary possibility that your pet could start a massive fire while you’re out.
Pets are a wonderful addition to your family, providing laughs, great memories and seemingly, the odd fire.
On July 31, the Tulsa Fire Department issued a warning to pet owners and showed a home security video of a person’s room going up in flames after their dog took a chunky bite out of a portable battery. Take a look:
Speaking to pet owners, public information officer of the fire department Andy Little said: “I want to bring to your attention a critical issue that has been affecting fire departments across the US.
“Fires caused by lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries are known for storing a significant amount of energy in a compact space.
“However when this energy is released uncontrollably, it can generate heat, flammable and toxic gasses and can even lead to explosions.”
He warned that these can be caused by a variety of things, including damage to the battery, overcharging or exposure to heat.
The Tulsa Fire Department warned that lithium ion batteries could release heat, flammable and toxic gasses. (Tulsa Fire Department)
He then showed the video of a dog chewing on the battery before dropping it as it began to spout out liquid and light the dog cushion on fire.
The dog and the other dogs in the room then scatter before a fire sparks up at burns quickly, soon engulfing the entire room.
Little warned owners to take precautions to prevent these fires from erupting.
Little continued: “Many individuals keep these batteries within their homes for convenience, unaware of the potential dangers they pose.
In just a few minutes, the entire room was engulfed in flames and smoke.(Tulsa Fire Department)
“It is crucial that you adhere to manufacturer guidelines when using lithium-ion batteries, only using approved chargers and storing them out of reach of children and pets.
Ultimately, the room was destroyed and the fire department had to be called to put it out.
But thankfully, especially to all the dog owners reading, all of the dogs were able to safely exit the home without any injuries.
However, Little stated this situation could have had a very different ending if the dogs weren’t able to exit through their doggy door or if a family was sleeping upstairs unaware of the fire.
Featured Image Credit: Tulsa Fire Department
Gerrard Kaonga
People are determined to reunite woman with dog after discovering emergency vet lost her dog
The internet have rallied round Hannah Riley to help her locate her missing pet
Internet sleuths are doing their thing as they’re desperately trying to reunite a heartbroken dog owner with her pet.
Hannah Riley took to X on March 17 in the hopes of recruiting people to help find her 10-year-old dog, Hazel.
Hannah had been on vacation when Hazel, a white and beige papillon, had to be rushed to St. Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency in Atlanta, Georgia.
The pooch had ingested several cannabis gummies at her sitter’s home, sparking them to rush Hazel to the nearby vets.
GoFundMe
Sharing a photo of her beloved dog, Hannah wrote on social media: “MISSING DOG IN DECATUR/ATLANTA GEORGIA.
“Hazel was at an emergency vet (St. Francis) when they took her outside without a leash and she bolted. She has a catheter in her leg and is scared and sick.
“She’s scared of people and she is aggressive to other dogs. PLEASE please share.”
The post has since been viewed over 740,000 times and online detectives are trying their best to help Hannah.
She added in a follow-up tweet on March 18: “I just cannot believe they took her outside without a leash. I am so angry and SO devastated at the thought of her out there cold and in maybe in pain from the catheter. And I’m so far away. Absolute nightmare.”
Hannah adopted Hazel six years ago and describes them as being ‘attached at the hip’ ever since.
As of today (March 21), Hazel is still missing.
@hannahcrileyy/X
As the search for Hannah’s dog continues, a close friend of the dog owner’s has set up a GoFundMe page on her behalf to raise money to pay for ads to help bring Hazel home.
It’s target of $10,000 was reached in a matter of days.
Part of the fundraiser’s bio reads: “This GoFundMe has been created to raise $10,000 for ad space to spread the word and bring Hazel home. Any unused funds will be donated to a local animal rescue.
“We have evidence that Hazel may have been picked up by someone in the area where she escaped, or she may still be out there.”
While Hannah is not on TikTok, people have shared their own videos explaining the situation and sharing where the pooch was last seen.
Elsewhere, people have been posting online flyers across social media, as well as in person.
There’s even been a Google Spreadsheet set up with suggested locations where volunteers can take leaflets.
The sheet is pinned to Hannah’s X profile.
In the wake of Hazel’s disappearance, St. Francis’ parent company, Thrive Pet Healthcare, have said in a statement, as per The Philadelphia Enquirer: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency a few days ago.
“Our regional leadership is and has been in communication with Hazel’s family and remains supportive of the search.”
If you see Hazel or know anyone who might have rescued her, call Hannah at 470.867.7530 or Saint Francis Veterinary Specialists and Emergency at 404.924.2000.
Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe / X/@hannahcrileyy
Topics: Social Media, Community, News, Animals, US News, Dogs
Niamh Shackleton
Man flies drone into Las Vegas Sphere during a concert revealing jaw-dropping footage
The astonishing footage saw the drone swopping into the packed concert arena as the band Phish performed
It’s gone viral multiple times over how it dominates the Vegas cityscape, and the incredible interior. But now, a drone pilot has given a whole new perspective to the Las Vegas Sphere after flying a drone inside it.
The resulting footage gives an astonishing perspective of the iconic venue, showing off just how enormous and imposing it is.
Beginning outside with ‘Phish live at Sphere’ emblazoned on the building, pilot Jay Byrd swoops the drone in through the front doors, carefully avoiding the excited concert-goers inside.
Even before the main event in the building it’s clear that the building is absolutely stunning, with even the lobby being absolutely cavernous.
The enormous Las Vegas Sphere. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
The drone climbs in the lobby before flying through a series of decorative rings which have been hung from the ceiling.
As it gets to the last ring however, the footage makes a phenomenal cut.
The drone flies through the final ring, before seeming to ’emerge’ in the main auditorium as though it’s passed through a portal.
It’s astonishing just how vast the space is, with the drone flying around the enormous auditorium as Phish play onstage.
Starting from the way up in the top at the back, the drone arcs down over the audience before hovering around the band as they play.
Behind them the enormous screen / wall has a pattern of rising bubbles creating an incredible impression for the fans enjoying the show.
An amazing drone trip inside the MSG Sphere during the Phish concert on April 23. [📹 JayByrdFilms]
The video was so staggering that some people even found the combination of the moving drone and the patterns on the screen a bit dizzying.
One person said it was incredible, but the movement and the designs were just a bit much for them, writing: “I wish I could like this but its too dizzying.”
Another complimented the Jay Byrd’s impressive drone piloting skills, saying: “That dude can fly the heck out of that drone, totally awesome!”
Someone else was impressed by how this showed the band, commenting: “Wow, so cool. I have seen phish a couple times, but it was never quite like this.”
Phish play at the Las Vegas Sphere. (Rich Fury/Sphere Entertainment/Getty Images for Sphere Entertainment)
A fourth person was just completely blown away by the video, writing simply: “This is the coolest video of all time. I will not be taking questions.”
In fairness, it’s an insanely cool video.
Phish played an immersive concert at the venue, including a mind-blowing psychedelic show behind them.
This was partly pre-generated, and partly coming through live with the assistance of AI.
