Do you know the difference between a sheep and a poodle? Apparently, a lot of people don't, because a British/Australian company deceptively calling themselves "Poodles as Pets" successfully imported and sold flocks of sheep to an estimated 2,000 Japanese people who wanted puppies.
One couple found out their dog wasn't a dog when they took it to the doggie salon for a nail trim, where they were told that their poodle had hooves.
The scam took place in Hokkaido. So if you live on the lovely northern island and bought a poodle recently, check to make sure it's really a dog.
The animal in this picture, by the way, is a toy poodle. Not a sheep, or a mop, or a black furry blanket. Her name is Birdie.
Well, the downside is they lose a pet. But on the bright side, dinner for a month!
Posted by: Namtillaku | April 26, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Question Lisa, I have seen this story around the internet and I was wondering, is a poodle not a common dog in Japan?
Posted by: teeny | April 26, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Toy poodles are pretty common, but I haven't seen that many big poodles. Apparently, sheep aren't that common in Japan. So I guess people got confused.
Posted by: Lisa | April 26, 2007 at 05:13 PM
That is bizarre...
Posted by: Dragonclaws | April 26, 2007 at 11:17 PM
That's insane. Who'da thunk it?
http://www.snopes.com/critters/lurkers/poodlesheep.asp
For something that's a hoax, almost every major news website reported it.
Posted by: aXis | April 28, 2007 at 02:55 AM
I so wish it was true though ;)
Posted by: Stephen | April 28, 2007 at 03:22 AM
So, this was true or false? Because one would hope that they couldn't take advantage of people this much. It's still pretty funny though.
Posted by: Jenanime | April 28, 2007 at 10:52 AM
It's a hoax. http://www.snopes.com/critters/lurkers/poodlesheep.asp
Posted by: giovanni | May 02, 2007 at 12:51 AM