A family was left utterly astonished after they rescued a dog who bore an uncanny resemblance to their recently deceased pet, only to discover the two were related as father and son.
Jillian Reiff was still mourning her beloved rat terrier cross, Rufus, when she stumbled upon an Instagram photo of a strikingly similar dog.
The canine shared Rufus’ distinctive markings and ears, and despite Jillian’s heartache, something compelled her to meet this lookalike. Just four days later, Jillian and her family visited Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and felt an immediate bond.
“He felt like a gift,” Jillian confided to What’s The Jam, noting: “Seeing his happy face reminded us so much of our beloved boy. “It brought peace to a house that had been crying for days.”
Convinced by the remarkable resemblance, they adopted the dog on the spot, naming him Ziggy. Once home, Ziggy settled in as if he owned the place, quickly bonding with their other senior dog, Petey.
Ziggy even began to emulate Rufus’ habits, from greeting the children every morning to snuggling under a blanket at night. However, when he started howling like a wolf, precisely as Rufus had done, Jillian’s instincts were triggered.
She organised a DNA test for Ziggy, matching it against one she had commissioned for Rufus years before – and the results were utterly mind-blowing.
They weren’t merely the same breed combination, they were relatives – Ziggy turned out to be Rufus’s biological father.
It emerged that Rufus had been rehomed from the San Francisco SPCA nine years previously, whilst Ziggy had recently been discovered wandering and brought to Muttville, also located in San Francisco.
Now, miraculously reunited and living under one roof, the Reiff household say their home is brimming with joy once more – all thanks to a chance encounter on Instagram.
Jillian remarked: “There is no science I can find to explain this, only kismet. We have cried many times since last Thursday, this time in unadulterated joy.
“The fact Ziggy is here and with us to spend the rest of his amazing life is because of Muttville.” This comes as Perranporth Beach in Cornwall has been crowned the UK’s finest dog-friendly beach.
Canine Cottages examined coastal locations nationwide in a bid to identify the premier destinations.
The decision was reached after evaluating reviews, pet-friendly amenities, landscape and parking facilities.
Perranporth Beach, positioned along the North Cornwall coastline, boasts numerous attractions, including rock pools, and welcomes dogs year-round.
However, it’s important to note that dogs must be kept on leads in July and August on the main beach, but there is still plenty of space for your four-legged friend.
