They didn’t set out to reunite siblings. Sheri and Dave Hogue were simply doing what they’ve always done — opening their home to rescue Labs who needed help.
But somewhere along the way, they did something remarkable. They brought their family back together.
A love that started with Bella
The Hogues’ rescue journey really began years earlier with a dog named Bella. Adopted through Lucky Lab Rescue, Bella quickly became what Sheri calls their “soul dog” — a brilliant, loyal Labrador Retriever who was deeply devoted to the family. She even became an Advanced Canine Good Citizen and visited nursing homes, bringing comfort to people who had lost pets of their own.
When Bella passed away in 2021, it was a devastating loss. “We always wished we could find another dog just like her,” Sheri says.
Enter Honey
In 2024, a message from Lucky Lab Rescue caught Sheri’s attention: They’d found a stray yellow lab in Kentucky who reminded them of Bella. That was all it took: the Hogues jumped at the chance to foster her.
When Honey arrived, she was deeply traumatized — fearful, shut down, and unsure of the world around her, an emotional wreck. But with the Hogues’ patience and love, Honey started to change. “Slowly, over time, she began to smile,” Sheri says. The Hogues fell in love with Honey and eventually adopted her. Honey had found her forever home.
Then came Poppy
Months later, another post from Lucky Lab Rescue appeared — this time about a stray Lab from Kentucky in urgent need of medical care. It was the middle of the night when Sheri saw it. “I woke my husband up and said, ‘I think we found a dog’,” she recalls. The couple drove from their home in Tennessee on Easter Sunday to pick her up — and they named her Poppy.
Where Honey had been emotionally fragile, Poppy was physically worn down — covered in scars, recovering from illness, and in need of care. But her spirit was bright.
And from the moment she arrived and met Honey, something clicked.
An instant bond
Poppy and Honey became inseparable. The slept curled up together — “like puppies in a pile” — often choosing the same bed, even when others were available. They walked side-by-side. They lingered in the same rooms. “You’d rarely find one without the other,” Sheri says.
And the similarities didn’t stop there. Their coloring matched. Their markings aligned. Even their movements felt mirrored. “We would always comment on how similar they were,” says Sheri. “[It was almost as if] they’d come from the same place.”
What are the chances…
Every rescue dog’s backstory is a mystery — but the Hogues just had a gut feeling about these two. So they decided to DNA test both dogs with Embark, to learn more about them and see if they had common relatives.
When the results came back, Embark’s Relative Finder feature provided the answer. Honey and Poppy weren’t just similar — they were sisters. “We were so very delighted,” Sheri says. “We had tears of joy at the sweetness of the story.”
A connection they didn’t set out to create
OK so let’s recap: Two dogs, found as strays in Kentucky. Rescued months apart. Adopted into the same home in Tennessee. And now: confirmed sisters!
Pretty amazing. But what makes their story so meaningful isn’t just their DNA results. It’s everything that led up to testing. Bella’s inspiring influence. The late night decision to say “yes.” The long drives. The patience it took to help each dog heal. The Hogues didn’t set out to reunite a family. They simply chose to help — twice. And the good karma kept on giving.
“Honey and Poppy have become such precious and special pets.” Sheri says. “It gives us great joy to watch them transform from fearful and unsure into confident, relaxed, and happy animals.”
Interested in more relative reunions?
Check out stories about other Embark dogs who’ve been reunited with their relatives, like Ziggy & Rufus, Murphy and Maggie, Vardis and Brunch, Rowan and Milo, and Diego and Dixie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dog DNA tests really identify siblings?
A: Yes. Dog DNA tests like Embark compare genetic markers across dogs to identify close relatives. Dogs that share a high percentage of DNA—like Honey and Poppy—are often siblings or parent/offspring.
Q: What is Embark’s Relative Finder feature?
A: Embark’s Relative Finder feature is a DNA-based tool that identifies your dog’s relatives, from immediate family members to more distant connections. It also allows owners to connect and share information about their dogs.
Q: Why would I want to find my dog’s relatives?
A: Learning about your dog’s relatives can provide insight into their personality, behavior, and history. Many owners also enjoy connecting with other dog families—and sometimes even discovering surprising family relationships.
Q: Can rescue dogs have unknown family connections?
A: Yes. Many rescue dogs come from unknown backgrounds, which means they may have relatives in different locations. DNA testing can help uncover those hidden connections.
Q: Does finding relatives help me understand my dog better?
A: Yes. Seeing similarities in behavior, temperament, or appearance across related dogs can help explain traits you might not otherwise understand.
