Hercules - fact or fiction?

I was one of many who got the email going around last month about the world's biggest dog. Truth be told, the picture of "Hercules" (or whoever) is really amazing. Here's a cropped teaser:
Are those huge feet really in the grass, or is it some sort of computer magic?
A little easy research might answer the question, or create more. I found the story debunked at snopes. What do you think? And what do you do if he chases cats?