HOLLAND, Mich. — Seven rescue dogs from Tennessee were reunited on Saturday at Dogs Bay North Doggie Daycare about a year after being adopted by West Michigan families.
The family of dogs was originally abandoned and taken in by Holland’s Headin’ Home pet rescue. The puppies were separated and adopted, but coincidentally three of them attended Dogs Bay North. The daycare’s manager, Jonathan Wallington, noticed similarities and an instant connection between them.
“It’s when you see the dogs that have the long legs, the floppy ears and they’re clued to each other, you say what’s going on here?” Wallington said.
After speaking with their owners and Headin’ Home, it was discovered they were related. Wallington then took to Facebook and partnered with Headin’ Home in search of the rest of their litter, which included eight dogs and a mother.
“I wanted to try to get them all together,” he said.
The response was quick, and Jonathan was able to locate the four remaining dogs and their mother, Gabby. He invited them all for a family reunion at Dogs Bay North. Six out of the seven siblings came, along with Gabby. Wallington said the final sibling was contacted but was unfortunately away for the weekend.
The dogs’ owners were all smiles as they met their pet’s brothers and sisters.
“It’s just uncanny. It’s like seeing your dog photoshopped from here to here to here,” MaryAnn Dunn, the owner of Maizie, a sibling.
Wallington also joined the reunion, bringing out treats for the dogs and pizza for the owners.
“It’s their four-legged baby, so when they find out that their dogs get to meet up with their brother, sister and mom again, it just swells up a lot of people’s hearts, which is awesome,” he said.
Dunn said she’s thankful for Wallington’s care and determination to reunite the dogs.
“If it hadn’t been for him, this would have never happened…he’s been so great,” she said.
The three dogs enrolled in Dogs Bay North have coordinated their schedules, so the siblings can play together while they're there. While there are no dates set in stone, the owners said they anticipate having more play-dates in the future.
“It would be fun to keep in touch with them,” Dunn said.
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