Panda Dog - a new 'hybrid species' or a cruel joke?

Obscenely cute and somewhat controversial - the Panda Dog has taken Japan by storm!

Is it a new hybrid species born of an innocent but forbidden love affair between a panda and a dog? (That's a mental picture that's difficult to erase from my mind.....)

Or maybe it's a photoshopped image some cruel and bored person created to pull our legs (and if so, will it one day be categorized with the Loch Ness and Bigfoot under 'mythical creatures'?)

Oddly enough - it's not so much a mystery as it is a tale of love, passion, rescue, and a big bottle of black (doggie-safe) hair dye....

Named after the quirky detective in the hit TV series 'Columbo', this Maltese-Poodle mix is the talk of the town in Tokoyo. His owner, Kensuke Hirakawa, adopted him after Columbo's previous owner abandoned him (reportedly due to his ugly looks...) and had sent him off to die.

Although Columbo was a bit aggressive and barked non-stop at first, Kensuke saw potential in this little droopy-eyed fur ball and took him in and he soon became tame. Poor Columbo had been through a lot and had the marks to prove it - a stiff back leg, tear-stained eyes and all his canine teeth had been removed (to prevent biting). But being a former beautician and pet shop owner, it didn't take long for Kensuke to hatch a crazy little plan for an Extreme Doggie Makeover!

Using completely safe (non-toxic) black hair color for dogs, Kensuke dyed parts of Columbo's dingy white fur in the striking pattern of the panda that most of Asia is so well known for.

And boy did he stand out! Once a mixed breed mongrel tossed aside because of his looks, Columbo is not only the most talked about and adored dog in the neighborhood (and probably all of Asia as well), he's also now the poster dog and mascot in a campaign to save the abandoned and abused dogs of Tokoyo. Kensuke only hopes that this will help teach others how to be responsible and love their pets. (I know there's a moral in there somewhere....)

Kensuke said that dying Columbo's hair just made sense - he'd always had stains around his eyes. And the good news is that the dye isn't permanent. Since it only lasts about a month, Kensuke can change Columbo on a whim! Who knows....maybe he'll show up as a tiger or leopard next month!

To see a short video clip of Columbo and Kensuke in action, keep reading!

Seems Columbo started a hip new trend - now Panda Dogs are popping up everywhere!

Take a look at these über chic panda-wannabees:

And it looks like Chow Chows are a new fav for Panda-Dogging.....and how could you not agree? Look how cute they look as a puppy! Just like a, well....an unpainted panda dog!

(Of course it will make a lot more sense if you understand Japanese.....but the message of the clip is clear in any language - aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhh!)

So come one and come all - share your thoughts on this weird, strange-but-true oddity from the East (that we all *know* will soon sweep the States.....it's only a matter of time, my friends.....only a matter of time.)

P.S. Wanna know more about dying your dog's hair? I'm working on a hub right now, so RSS me and check it out! Thanks!