This year’s been weird this year to say the least, but things got a bit stranger for one Sardinian farmer last week when his dogo gave birth to a bright green puppy.

Italian farmer Cristian Mallocci couldn’t believe his eyes when Spelacchia, one of his eight dogs, gave birth to a green-furred puppy. The tiny dog, appropriately named Pistachio, was part of a five-dog litter, all with white fur, the same colour as their mixed breed mum. Except him.

I think you’ll agree that green dogs are a very rare occurrence indeed. It’s believed that the ‘grinch tinge’ is the result of the pup being in contact with a green pigment called biliverdin while in the womb.

But – Pistachio’s colour won’t last forever and has already started to fade.

Mr Mallocci has decided to give away all the puppies, apart from Pistachio, who will help him herd sheep on the farm.

Green is a colour of hope and luck, said Mr Mollocci, something many of us could do with a little bit more of in 2020.

Well, Pistachio has certainly put a smile on our faces this morning, don’t know about you?

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