Photo: Courtesy of Upton’s Naturals
A dog DNA test revealed a serendipitous surprise for one Chicago family.
According to a release fromUpton’s Naturals, Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann — founders of Upton’s Natural, a Chicago-based vegan food company — recently adopted aGerman shepherdmix named Frida.
Shortly after bringing Frida home, Sopko and Staackmann got anEmbark dog DNA testto learn more about the rescue pup’s background. The family got the same test for their late dog Greta — also a German shepherd mix adopted from a Chicago shelter — before the beloved pet passed away.
Compared with Greta’s results stored with Embark, Frida’s recent DNA test revealed that the dogs are biologically related. According to the release, Frida and Greta share 6% of their DNA, making them first or second cousins.
Sopko and Staackmann were touched to discover this beautiful coincidence. Greta came into their lives in 2007 when Staackman adopted her from theHeartland Animal ShelterafterChicago Animal Care and Controlrescued the canine. Greta quickly became an adored fixture around Upton’s Naturals' office.
After Greta died on May 1 of this year at 14 years old, Upton’s Naturals, which also runsLiberation Donutsin Chicago, donated 100% of their sales from its best-selling “For Greta” donut to the Heartland Animal Shelter andOne Tail at a Time, as a way to give back to shelter animals in memory of Greta.
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Upton’s Naturals will be launching a “Cousin Frida” donut at Liberation Donuts to celebrate their newest family member. For the month of August, Frida’s family is donating sales from its Total Liberation Donut to One Tail at a Time to support the rescue’s Pet Mutual Aid program and as a thank you for bringing Greta’s cousin into their lives.
source: people.com
