This holiday season, we’re celebrating the many ways dogs bring joy into our lives. Join us for 12 Days of Good Dogs, as we highlight 12 heartwarming stories about Embarked dogs and their humans. Bring on the holiday cheer!
Day 1: Sugar Snap
Sugar Snap arrived at One Tail at a Time in Chicago in critical condition. At just 19 pounds, he was so weak he could barely lift his head. Because he was severely emaciated, veterinarians could only guess what he was supposed to weigh.
After weeks in the hospital, this good boy started to make a miraculous recovery. When he was strong enough, he found his foster home—and then his forever home—with Dr. Becky Ritchie, the veterinarian who treated him! He now lives with dog brother Fitz and cat brother Noodle.
“He has settled into his new home with us, and his full puppy personality is shining through. He keeps life fun! He hasn’t let his past stand in his way and I’m so proud of his resilience. He comes to work with me some days and gets so excited to see all of the nurses who took care of him. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s the same dog I saw in our ER just four months ago.”
—Dr. Becky Ritchie
Sugar Snap’s Embark results predicted he would weigh 62 pounds. “Having info on such a mystery of a dog was so extremely insightful,” says Kim Thomas, Marketing Manager at One Tail at a Time. Sugar Snap (now named Ash) has been working on physical therapy and gaining muscle, and now weighs 56 pounds.
Read Sugar Snap’s full story and check out his Embark results.
Day 2: Milo + Rowan
Rowan arrived at Muddy Paws Rescue in New York as a young puppy in 2023. Muddy Paws used a donated Embark test to help match him with the perfect family. They were in for a surprise. Despite being a very fluffy puppy, Rowan’s primary breed was American Pit Bull Terrier.
“Rowan’s personality is really outgoing. He wants to meet every person and every dog.”
Rowan not only had a shocking breed mix—he also had a full sibling! His brother, Milo, had been adopted from Muddy Paws a year earlier.
“Milo thinks that he’s a guard dog, but he’s actually a big cuddle monster.”
These two good boys reunited for a playdate in Central Park, near the Balto statue. We love seeing their matching head tilts!
Read Rowan + Milo’s full story and check out their Embark results.
Day 3: Margie
When Cierra saw that her dog Margie’s hind legs were failing, she knew exactly why. She’d recently DNA tested Margie and learned she had both markers for DM—a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord.
While there is no cure for DM, Cierra told us that “because of Embark, we are able to give Margie the best life with her remaining years.” It was difficult to watch Margie’s mobility decline, but Cierra and her husband took some comfort knowing the reason why. Instead of worrying and putting Margie through a series of expensive tests at the vet, they could instead focus on making her comfortable and keeping her happy.
When we heard from Cierra, we knew we had to get Margie back to outdoor walks as soon as possible so she could make the most of her remaining time. That’s why Embark covered the cost of Margie’s custom wheelchair from Walkin’ Pets. We’re thrilled to hear that this good girl is back outside and loving it!
“ She’s so excited to walk every day and she’s like a puppy again. The wheelchair has increased her quality of life 100%.”
—Cierra Steele
Day 4: Taki
Meet Taki, a distillery dog, former co-woofer, and beloved rescue at Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Eleven years ago, Taki, a large yellow shepherd mix, wandered around the Tito’s distillery in Austin, making her way into the hearts of the Tito’s team. She has since become quite a legend at the company. As a resident co-woofer, this good girl has sat for interviews, modeled for future store displays, and greeted guests at events.
Taki has also inspired art and other tributes from Tito’s employees and fans. Soon, she’ll be getting her own statue as a store display and already has a mural at the Love, Tito’s retail store in downtown Austin, TX.
“She’s a hilarious, smart, mischievous dog. She has a huge personality and a spunky, independent attitude. We call her the queen of the shepherd mixes.”
—Beth Bellanti, Director, Vodka for Dog People
As of today, Taki is the oldest living distillery dog at Tito’s.
Day 5: Beans
Beans was adopted from Yonkers Animal Shelter, where his ears earned him the name Yoda. He’s now living in Boston with his dog sister Fig and cat sister Angela.
“Beans is our little beefy babe! He loves treats, toys he can shred, and his sister Fig. We saw his picture posted at Yonkers Animal Shelter and immediately knew we had to meet him, so we packed up our family and drove to Yonkers, NY. We all immediately fell in love. Beans has been such an awesome addition to our family—especially for our other dog, Fig. Fig has finally found her best friend!”
We partnered with Park-9 dog bar to throw a breed reveal party for Beans, where we found out that this good boy is 100% American Pit Bull Terrier!
Day 6: Winnie + Harlow + Joplin
Sisters Winnie, Harlow, and Joplin started their journey in a Texas shelter. After being separated as puppies, these three good girls found each other again in Michigan.
Jackie Novak adopted Winnie from a Michigan shelter and found that she had a sister, Joplin, through Embark’s Relative Finder. The girls met up for a family reunion.
“We never thought we would even see one of Winnie’s siblings, let alone meet them! I still can’t put into words how incredible it felt!”
—Jackie Novak
Joplin’s human, Andrea Groom, later found out that Winnie had a third sister and kennelmate, Harlow. Harlow was still available for adoption and at risk of being euthanized in the future. Andrea shared the information with Jackie, and they agreed they had to help.
With the help of Project Hope, Harlow was transferred to Michigan. She and Joplin were inseparable, “like twins,” so Andrea adopted Harlow so that the girls could stay together. They are still good friends with their sister Winnie and meet up for playdates.
Read Winnie, Harlow, and Joplin’s full story, reported by People.
Day 7: Zoltan
Zoltan was a long-stay resident at Palm Valley Animal Society in Texas, having spent most of his life in a shelter. His breed mix stumped everyone — almost no one guessed it correctly.
After almost two years in the shelter, we’re thrilled to share that this good boy was finally adopted in October 2024! He is now living his best life with his new family in Alexandria, VA. He loves his toys, playing fetch, cuddling, and any and all treats.
“Zoltan has been such a ham ever since I adopted him. He is such a joy and I cannot imagine my life without him. He brings smiles to everyone he meets.”
Day 8: Junior
Junior was rescued in Coronado, CA. His humans were convinced he was a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, so they decided to settle the debate for good by getting him Embarked. It turns out they were both right—he is a mix of both breeds! “This discovery made us appreciate his unique personality even more,” says his human, Jennifer.
“This past summer, my husband and I faced a heartbreaking loss when our beloved dog passed away suddenly. That’s when Junior entered our lives. From his playful nibbling during fetch to the way he snuggles up close for movie nights, he’s a constant source of laughter and love. He’s a curious and adventurous pup who never turns down a car ride or an opportunity to explore new scents. Junior has brought healing and joy back into our lives after our loss. He reminds us every day how special rescue dogs are and how much love they have to give. Junior truly embodies resilience, love, and the beauty of second chances.”
This good boy now lives with his forever family in San Diego, CA and enjoys all the treats, toys, and belly rubs he could ever want.
Day 9: Gia
Gia and her sister were found on the streets of Mexico as puppies when they were about seven months old. Gia is a smart and active girl who loves to run and play with other dogs (and her cat sister). She makes friends everywhere she goes with her funny, friendly personality and bushy wagging tail.
“Gia’s bright smile and bouncy energy bring us joy every single day. Her playfulness and gentle nature (with people, other dogs, and our cat) bring so much light to our lives. We love Gia, and we love that so many others love her too.”
This good girl also has plenty of competitive titles to her name! She excels in obedience & rally sports, has a long list of tricks, is top of her scentwork class, and has begun tracking.
Day 10: Archie
Archie is a sweet 9-lb rescue from Austin, TX. Originally named Creamed Corn, he also has a sister named Green Bean Casserole. His bat-like ears almost earned him the name Batman… but his humans ultimately landed on the name Archie!
“Everything is funny and painfully sweet with Archie. The way he gets the zoomies most nights and especially after a bath; the way he snuggles up close to us under our covers in a little ball every single night; the way he is so desperate to be social that he’ll cry on a walk if he can’t play with a passing pup; the way he cries at the door when the kids leave for school and covers them with kisses and squeals when they return. He has completed our family in a profound way and brought us so much joy.”
This good boy has made his family laugh from day one and brings joy to everyone he meets!
Day 11: Neyland
Neyland was found under a mailbox in the middle of a thunderstorm in Alabama. She bounced around between shelters in Alabama before the Animal Welfare Association in New Jersey took her in. That’s where Dustin found her.
“I was still mourning the loss of my previous dog, but when I saw her I had to have her. She took some time to adjust to being loved and safe but now she has come into her own. We don’t deserve dogs; they’re too good for us. They say I rescued her, but I think it’s a two way street. Embark helped me to get an idea of what breed she was because the shelters had no idea. My half Aussie and half Pitbull/Border Collie is forever safe and she has given me some fulfillment in life!”
Now, this good girl is living her best life with Dustin in NJ. She loves going for long walks chasing tennis balls.
View Neyland’s Embark profile.
Day 12: Arlo
Arlo was found and brought to a veterinarian when he accidentally ingested rat poison. Even though he was sick, dirty, and hungry, he was still the sweetest boy who just wanted to sit in everyone’s laps and cuddle.
For Carrie, Arlo’s human, it was love at first sight. “He has been our constant companion through multiple moves, our engagement and wedding, going back to school as an adult, and multiple surgeries.”
“Arlo has been spreading joy since the first day I met him. He is always happy and ready to love everyone who will let him. Even now, as he is going through treatment for a brain tumor, he is the happiest guy around. We can’t help but smile when we see him still chasing his tail and doing zoomies! Arlo finds joy in everything, which reminds us to do the same.”
Fun fact: good boy Arlo has chased his tail almost every day of his life.
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