What the heck is it about this pic? Why does it look so familiar?

I've been looking at rescue dogs lately, thinking about adopting. I come upon this crooked-nosed little guy. Something about the picture, though, reminds me of something I just cannot place-- a meme, a cartoon or comic book, maybe. It's driving me nuts, the deja vu I'm getting from this pic. Does it ring any bells with anybody else?

Or is it just a powerful sign?

EDIT: it's the expression, the pose, and the ears all together. It's like I've seen this same pic before, but like maybe a cartoon version and years ago; but it can't be the same pic because this one was taken no further back than a month.