When they lost their beloved 16-year-old dog Rufus, the Reiffs never imagined a DNA test would play such a big role in healing their hearts. But it did. Because just two days later, the Reiffs decided to adopt a senior dog—from a shelter in another city—who resembled Rufus. When they Embark-tested him, they were stunned by what they learned: This new dog was family.
It began with a devastating loss
A small rat terrier mix, Rufus had been there for every Reiff family milestone since being adopted at age 7. He carried Jillian Reiff’s engagement ring around his neck when her husband proposed, wore a tiny tuxedo at their wedding, and was the first to welcome their kids, Maya and Benjamin, into the world. He rode along on school drop-offs, snuggled up for bedtime stories, and even said ‘I love you’ in his own warbly way.
So when he suddenly passed from gallbladder failure, the family was blindsided. “He was absolutely my soul dog,” Jillian says. “We were completely gutted.”
Rufus, just lounging around.
Enter Ziggy, a dog just like Rufus
To console themselves, Jillian and Maya began scrolling through photos of rescue dogs on the many shelter sites they follow. When Maya came across a photo on Muttville Senior Dog Rescue’s Instagram she gasped. “Mom, look at this dog. He looks exactly like Rufus!”
“I was sick with grief … and wasn’t anticipating getting another dog,” says Jillian. “But I was honestly overcome with emotions about meeting this dog—so we did.” When the little dog (soon renamed Ziggy) trotted in, it was like Rufus had just entered the room. They adopted him on the spot.
Ziggy, showing off a new outfit.
The similarities were uncanny
As Ziggy settled in, he seemed more and more like Rufus. The same mannerisms. The same vocalizations. The same welcoming way with the family’s foster dogs. Jillian had tested Rufus nine years earlier with an Embark DNA test and discovered he was 50% Chihuahua and 50% Rat Terrier; now she wanted to test Ziggy to see if he had the same breed mix.
“I just wanted to see if my hunch was right,” she says.”In no way was I prepared for what happened next.”
On left, Rufus and Benjamin as a baby. On right, Ziggy and Benjamin as a kid.
The DNA test results were jaw-dropping
When Ziggy’s DNA results arrived, Jillian eagerly opened the email. Boom: Ziggy was 50% Chihuahua and 50% Rat Terrier, just like Rufus. But then she clicked the “Relatives” tab.
There, under “Immediate Family,” was Rufus’ Embark profile from 2017, tagged “Child Match: Son.” Ziggy and Rufus weren’t just the same breed mix. They were father and son.
The Relative Finder showed a match.
“I was sitting in a conference room at my job—and just stood up from my chair and screamed,” Jillian says. She raced home, scooped Ziggy up, and cried. “The grief that Ziggy was helping us overcome—suddenly everything made sense.” But Maya wasn’t surprised. “I told you, Mom. Rufus sent Ziggy to us so we wouldn’t be sad.”
Every rescue has a story waiting to be decoded
Rufus and Ziggy’s tale is extraordinary: Two senior dogs, living separate lives for over a decade, both ending up in shelters and adopted by the same family within days of each other. But the truth is, every rescue has a unique hidden backstory. And a DNA test can reveal it.
“We’re huge advocates of rescues, says Jillian. “Because of shelters, an older dog like Ziggy not only had a chance, but a Hollywood ending!” But shelter dog backgrounds are often a mystery. “Embark DNA testing has given us a better glimpse into who our adopted dogs are—their breed mix, health, and (of course) relatives. We’ve tested every dog we have adopted.”
Discover your dog’s family connections
Curious about your dog’s story? An Embark DNA test makes it easy to get the full picture—and discover incredible family connections. As Jillian Reiff says, “There are a million more Ziggy stories out there, and they should all be heard.”
Get started with Embark
Find long-lost family members when you DNA test your dog. Explore our Relative Finder feature now.
Embark Breed + Health Test
$199
Embark Breed ID Test
$129
Interested in more relative reunions? Check out stories about other Embark dogs who’ve been reunited with their relatives, like Murphy and Maggie, Vardis and Brunch, Rowan and Milo, and Diego and Dixie.
