Missy's DNA Results Are Here!

What do you get when you cross generations of lab mixes? A fuzzy, 30-pound Missy—apparently!

We were quite surprised to see how much lab showed up. And imagine our disbelief when the test showed that, with varying degrees of certainty, there might be skye terrier, cairn terrier, cocker spaniel, and basset hound in her. (Okay, I was pretty sure there was cocker in her to begin with.)

I might think this test is a hoax if I didn't know people who had results that actually resembled their dogs. But it gives me 100% proof that the next time someone asks, I can say Missy is a purebred mutt. Alright, honestly, it was just plain fun to do.

I've included the results here. We used Wisdom Panel Insights. We received their kit in the mail, swabbed Missy's cheek, then dropped it back in the mail. The results came in about 3 weeks later. I'm not endorsing them; I choose this test because a friend recommend it. (Oh, and it was on sale.)

Have you had your dog DNA tested? Were you surprised by the results?

Missy's DNA

People constantly approach us on walks and ask what Missy is. Every time I settle on a breed I think she looks like, someone sways me. When I'm convinced she's a spaniel mix, a passerby says, "Wow, she must be a border collie mix." (I assure them she has nothing close to the energy level of a border collie.) Then, when I'm sure she's got some spitz in her, I see a similar dog on Petfinder labeled as a flat-coated retriever. And so on...

The ambiguity of her breed is one of my favorite things about her. I hate the idea that a dog is supposed to look like something. After all, who really cares what's in our dog's DNA? At the vet's office, I identified her as "mixed breed" on their paperwork. When the receptionist questioned me, I asked her to take her best guess. The receptionist looked down at Missy, shrugged, and said, "Mixed breed it is."

But a homeowner's insurance company pushed me over the edge. When we were applying to a new company, the representative asked if we owned a dog and if so, what breed. He wouldn't accept "mixed breed" for an answer. He needed to write something down in the file. Forget about the fact that we had a flooded basement that caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. These people were willing to cover us as along as we don't have a bully breed living in our house. (Click here for more about breed-specific practices by insurance companies.) "Is she a pit bull?" the representative asked. And we said, "She's small and black and fluffy. Just put spaniel mix."

After that conversation, I caved and bought a DNA test for Missy. People need labels for everything, it seems. We can make our best guesses about what she is based on what she looks like, but what's in her DNA could be very different. Some friends also pointed out that it's good to know what breeds could be in the mix for medical purposes. And plus, it will just be fun to know. So we shelled out $50, ordered a test, and swabbed her cheeks. We dropped the samples in the mail this evening and should receive a copy of the results in 2-3 weeks. Stay tuned.

Do I think the results will be the end-all, be-all answer to what makes our dog supremely awesome? No. Will I be surprised or angry if it comes back as mostly "mixed breed?" Not at all.

In the end, she's our Missy, a purebred Missy.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

From Ariel (who we're foster-dog sitting)

and Missy, of course!

Love

Foster cat Franky and Missy. My mom says it would be animal cruelty to separate these two lovebirds.

ADOPTED: So long, Sophie!

Missy and Sophie

Sophie wasn't an easy post-foster-failure dog. She was well-behaved, friendly, cute, and the perfect dog. She made it hard not to fail again. Truth be told, if she had come along first, we probably would have adopted her. (Don't tell Missy this!) But there's no room in this inn and thankfully a super nice couple adopted Sophie on Saturday.

Missy and Sophie and all the other dogs that came before them are testaments to the absolutely wonderful dogs that crowd shelters in the U.S. My blood boils when someone tells me they have chosen to buy a dog instead of adopt one because they "don't want to deal with a shelter dog's issues." Many dogs—like Missy and Sophie—end up in shelters not because they have issues but because their people have issues. Both Missy and Sophie's original families moved away and decided not to take the dogs with them. Look into those brown eyes and tell me these girls don't deserve a second chance. I dare you!

More Tricks Than Treats

Missy dressed up as a bee for Halloween and greeted trick or treaters at our door. She has such a great temperament that she didn't blink an eye when young trick or treaters shrieked in her face. She also didn't care when the ridiculous parents of said children screamed (in all seriousness), "Don't pet that dog! She might bite!" However, Missy did find it funny that I replied, "She won't bite. She'll just sting you."

Now would you believe me if I told you that this is not Missy? In fact, it's our new foster dog, Sophie! We couldn't resist taking her in. She's a really sweet dog—more cocker spaniel like than Missy and about 10 pounds lighter. The two of them are just so cute together. Both are easy-going girls who just love being around people.

Okay, now how about if I told you this was Missy and Sophie's long lost foster sister? Well, you'd have to believe me. It's Karina (now Winnie)! Her adopters bought her the same bee costume and sent me this picture! Doesn't she looked thrilled?

Wordless Wednesday: Interspecies Love

Missy and Franky: Who Said Dogs and Cats Can't Get Along?

Kissies!

Cuddle time!

"No, I love you more!"

 Franky loves playing "Frank in the Box" with Missy.

Franky and Missy have a shared love of chasing the red laser.

Franky has taken it upon himself to give Missy a nightly bath.

What Is She?

This is a question I’ve been asked numerous times over the past two weeks while out on walks with Missy. My answer is always the same, “She's a purebred dog.” But seriously, what breeds came together to make this super cute, medium-sized love of a dog?

Missy is about 30-35 pounds. Her legs are short, and her body is “stocky.”  She has long, soft fur, small triangle ears and a big, fluffy tail. Her head is pretty small in proportion to the rest of her body.  (Okay, disportionately small.)

In the end, she’s just a mutt, and I love that. Will I do a DNA test that reveals her “true” heritage? Maybe if I’m curious enough and have extra cash to blow on something like that. But in the mean time, I’ll go off of your thoughts—what do you think Missy is?

The Year of the Dog, or ADOPTED: Missy

One year ago, we said good-bye to Chance. We walked around our town's annual street fair on the first Saturday in October and hid our tears behind sun glasses. 

In turns out it's not just dogs that deserve second chances; us people do too. In the year since then, we've fostered (or helped to foster) 10 dogs—Wookiee, Jack, Karina, Bella, Jagger, Chloe, Lucy, Bentley, Zazu, and Honey. We've met wonderful people in the process (both volunteers and adopters) and have come to believe what Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."Without a doubt, this has been The Year of the Dog.

We've taken in the dogs and transformed them from unwanted underdogs to pampered pets. We’ve given them baths, filled their bellies, taught them manners, and then found them forever homes. It's never easy to say goodbye to a dog, especially one who you've seen through some of their most vulnerable hours. Perhaps it’s even harder because we don’t have a pet of our own to cling on to when a foster dog leaves. But we’ve been able to let go when we find them better homes than what we can offer them. Upgrades, we've come to call them. (Copyright Jen at Inu Baka)

We knew we'd foster fail miserably at some point. I suppose it was only a matter of time before one came along that would fit seamlessly into our lives, and we couldn’t let go. 

Enter Missy, the black, fuzzy mutt that came into our home as a temporary houseguest last weekend but has claimed a place all to herself on our sofa, on our bed, and in our hearts.

We’re told she had a “family” in South Carolina who moved away and left her behind. A kind neighbor noticed the poor dog alone and fed her for two weeks. When it became apparent the family wasn’t coming back, the neighbor brought Missy to a shelter. In that shelter (the same one Honey came from), Missy had five days to find a home. Luckily, in that time, our rescue came across her and agreed to take her.

A few days later, Missy made her way to New Jersey with the help of the wonderful volunteer transport. Up the eastern seaboard, volunteers each drive an hour leg of the trip. The dogs are handed off from driver to driver until they reach their rescues and foster homes. As soon as we saw Missy, her big, brown eyes begged us to love her. And love her we will.

How anyone could move and leave a dog behind is beyond us—let alone a dog like this. Sweet and affectionate, smart and well mannered, she’s a mutty-mutt mix of who knows what breeds. Her size and energy level fit perfectly into our life in a condo, unlike most of the dogs we've fostered. She's good with dogs, cats, and people of all ages. You couldn’t ask for a better dog. And we believe she couldn’t ask for a better home. We are her upgrade. 

So Missy is here to stay.