Puppy with a Heart
Emailed photos show a chihuahua puppy born in Japan with a heart-shaped pattern in its coat.
Description: Viral images
Circulating since: July 2007 (see update)
Status: Authentic (see details below)
Example:
Email contributed by Lisa M., Oct. 9, 2007:
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FW: The love puppy
SO CUTE I had to share.......... A PUPPY has been born in Japan with a large, clear, love-heart-shaped pattern in his coat. The Chihuahua was born in May as one of a litter to a breeder. Shop owner Emiko Sakurada said it was the first time a puppy with the marks had been born out of a thousand she had bred. She had no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named "Heart-kun". The long-coated male Chihuahua puppy was born in Odate, northern Japan.
 Click to Enlarge  Click to Enlarge Photos by Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images (Images above are slightly different from those originally attached to message) |
Analysis: This may seem at first glance a story too cute to be true, but trust me, it's the real deal. According to news reports from multiple sources, "Heart-kun" the chihuahua was one of a litter born on May 18, 2007 at Pucchin Dog's shop in Odate, northern Japan. Owner Emiko Sakurada has been quoted as saying that out of 1,000 puppies she has bred, Heart-kun is the only one with such a mark. Locals believe that playing with the puppy brings good luck.
Sky News Picture Gallery: Puppy Love
Aug. 7, 2009 Update: Heart-kun has a brother! Against all odds, three-day-old "Love-kun" has a heart-shaped pattern in his fur just like his older sibling.
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Sources and further reading:
Chihuahua Puppy Born with Love-Heart Pattern in Fur
News.com.au, 10 July 2007They Call It Puppy Love
Daily Telegraph, 10 July 2007A Puppy Wearing His Heart on His Sleeve
Sky News, 13 July 2007Pint-Sized Puppy Love
The Sun, 11 July 2007Puppy Love: The Cute Chihuahua with a Heart on His Coat that Matches Older Brother's
Daily Mail, 7 August 2009
Last updated: 08/07/09
