A dog named Tuna, who became an internet hit with his adorably pronounced overbite and unusually crumpled chin, is now getting his very own line of merchandise.
The Chihuahua-Dachsund mix – also known as a Chiweenie – was adopted in 2011 by Courtney Dasher, who shared photos on Instagram of her beloved unique-looking pup almost daily.
Now his website, Tuna Melts My Heart, has more than 375,000 followers, and Courtney has set up a web shop where fans can purchase merchandise including iPhone covers, T-shirts and mugs, all branded with his one-of-a-kind face.
He melts your heart: A dog named Tuna (pictured), who became An Instagram sensation with his pronounced overbite and scrunched up face, is now getting his own web shop with Tuna-themed merchandise
Keepsake: The T-shirts, which come in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, feature a black-and-white picture of Tuna in a bow-tie, in which his overbite looks particularly defined
The T-shirts, which come in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, feature a picture of Tuna in a bow-tie, his overbite looking particularly defined since he is turned to the side.
The web shop also sells shirts for dogs with the same image, as well as women’s tank tops and phone covers.
A portion of the proceeds goes to the ASPCA, as well as the rescuer who originally found Tuna.
Tuna – who suffers from an aggressive overbite and lower jawline dysfunction, was first found on the side of the road in San Francisco, California, where his original owners apparently discarded him.
When Courtney discovered the four-month-old puppy in a local farmers market, she was immediately smitten.
One-of-a-kind: When Courtney Dasher discovered Tuna in a local farmers market in 2011, she was immediately smitten, even though she realized some would perceive his unique looks as ‘ugly’
Special: ‘He has funny teeth that stick out, moles around his mouth, a crumpled chin and a neck that looks like it’s been soaking in a bathtub for days!’ Courtney said of his lovable irregularities
Sharing the love: But despite his irregularities – and perhaps, to some extent, because of them – Courtney fell in love and began posting pictures of Tuna on Instagram
‘He was not only different physically, but his personality was so lovely and endearing,’ she told Darling magazine in January.
First she named him Mr Burns, after the Simpsons character he resembled, which morphed into Tooney, because of his cartoon-like features, before ultimately becoming Tuna.
Courtney acknowledges that most people would see him as unattractive, since he doesn’t fit the criteria of a conventionally cute dog.
‘He has funny teeth that stick out, moles around his mouth, a crumpled chin and a neck that looks like it’s been soaking in a bathtub for days!’
But despite his irregularities – and perhaps, to some extent, because of them – Courtney fell in love.
Internet sensation: Before long, Tuna had melted the hearts of thousands of followers, who shared Courtney’s view that his flaws made him even more special
Inspiring: ‘I would never have imagined that a little unwanted dog could have this much of an impression on people,’ wrote Courtney. ‘But then again, he is not your average dog’
‘I had fallen in love with him and I wanted him to know how much he would be loved by me.’
So she began posting pictures of Tuna on Instagram, unaware that so many other people would also see him for how special he was.
Courtney would dress Tuna up in costumes, snap pictures of him hiding in bags, take him for photo shoots on the beach, and compare him to famous doppelgangers like Mr Burns.
The website blew up, attracting thousands of followers who were inspired not only by how unconventionally cute he was, but also by the message about inner beauty he was unknowingly sending.
Muse: Courtney would dress Tuna up in costumes, snap pictures of him hiding in bags, take him for photo shoots on the beach, and compare him to famous dopplegangers like Mr Burns from the Simpsons
Much-loved: Tuna is a hit not only because of how unconventionally cute he is, but also because of the message about inner beauty that he unknowingly promotes
‘There are countless individuals who are wounded by hurtful words and harsh opinions because they are judged by their looks, and not by their hearts,’ said Courtney, who sees Tuna as an uplifting contrast to that perception.
‘I would never have imagined that a little unwanted dog could have this much of an impression on people, by bringing them so much joy and laughter,’ she wrote. ‘But then again, he is not your average dog.’
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
