“What’s half fruit, half dog and is rather sad?”/“A melon collie.”

A “melancholy” riddle is:
 
Q: What’s half fruit, half dog and is rather sad?
A: A melon collie.
     
“Half dog and half fruit..A real melon-collie pup/baby” was posted on the newsgroup alt.arts.limericks on December 4, 2000. The riddle form was posted on Reddit—Jokes on June 29, 2017.
 
   
Google Groups: alt.arts.limericks
Sleepless Nights
Tiddy Ogg
12/4/00
(...)
Genetically engineered, maybe,
But soon in the future we may see,
Some strange yellow brute,
Half dog and half fruit..
A real melon-collie pup/baby.
 
Twitter
June Louise 📚
@_Tattycoram_
Must go. I turn into a half fruit half dog at midnight, otherwise known as a Melancholy. Sleep tight! Xx
5:52 PM - 23 May 2011
 
Twitter
Nikesh Shukla
@nikeshshukla
Replying to @dapwell
@dapwell You should create a character called ‘Mango’ Lassie - half fruit, half dog.
5:14 AM - 5 Dec 2011
 
Twitter
Ricky Goold
@Graemereaper
I’m feeling a bit “half fruit, half dog” tonight… melon-collie.
5:03 PM - 29 Dec 2011
 
Twitter
Adam
@Adam_Leedham
In my school nativity I was given the role of, half fruit half dog, which I didn’t like, it got me so down I was melancholy. #1PUN
7:01 AM - 28 Nov 2013
 
Twitter
MEG
@djelibeybi_meg
I have a rather unusual pet. He’s half fruit and half dog. I call him Melancholy.
5:18 PM - 5 Feb 2015
 
Twitter
Christopher Scott
@thecascott
I genetically engineered a half dog/half fruit but it is sad.
It’s melon collie.
And an abomination against nature. Just disgusting.
7:46 AM - 15 Jun 2017
 
Reddit—Jokes
What’s half fruit, half dog and is rather sad?
submitted June 29, 2017 by TheTwoHands10
A Melon Collie.
 
Twitter
Kevmo
@kevmocheeks
What is half fruit, half dog, and is rather sad?
A melon collie. (Melancholy)
12:05 AM - 30 Jun 2017