Latest news with #MuttvilleSeniorDogRescue
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Discovers Foster Dog's Original Name, Realizes He Still 'Remembers'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A foster dog's unexpectedly joyful reaction to hearing his real name for the first time in years has melted the hearts of viewers on TikTok. The video shows a chihuahua named Thumper racing across a sunlit yard after hearing a name he had not been called in a long time. With over 141,000 views, the clip from July 5 by @allthefosterpups, has delighted viewers and spotlighted the bond that can form between foster pets and their temporary guardians. "I have been fostering senior dogs through Muttville Senior Dog Rescue since 2019 and just celebrated fostering my 100th dog," Lisa Arden, the California-based foster owner behind the post, told Newsweek. "Thumper—aka Stern Grove—was one of my fosters." Viewers were able to see Arden speaking into the camera at her home. "So, we found out that our foster dog's name is actually Thumper," she told viewers. "And watch how excited he gets when I call him by his name." Moments later, the dog came bounding from indoors, wagging his entire body as he ran joyfully toward the camera in response to his name. Thumper has since been adopted by a family in California. Lisa Arden holds Thumper the foster dog (L) and Thumper as he sits on Arden's lap (R). Lisa Arden holds Thumper the foster dog (L) and Thumper as he sits on Arden's lap (R). @allthefosterpups "In the video, you can hear me calling out 'Thumper'—his real name—and he immediately comes running, wagging his whole body gleefully," Arden said. "It was such a sweet moment that perfectly captures the emotional depth these senior dogs carry." Originally found as a stray by Oakland Animal Services, Thumper was transferred to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue for medical care, including a much-needed dental procedure. As part of a naming theme, he was renamed "Stern Grove," after the music festival. But shortly after Arden began fostering him, she received a message from his previous foster, who had discovered a microchip and learned that his original name was Thumper. "Sadly, his former owners did not want him back," Arden said. Now 14 years old, Thumper weighs just five pounds but has what Arden calls "a big personality and a love for laps." "He absolutely adores being doted on and had fully embraced his role as the tiny prince of our home," she said. The viral success of the video has come as a sweet surprise to Arden, but not an unwelcome one. She believes viewers are connecting with something universally touching: the recognition of identity, even in a senior dog. "People seem to really connect with the joy of that moment—watching a senior dog light up when someone calls him by the name he remembers," Arden said. "It is a funny, heartwarming reminder that these older pups have rich histories and so much love left to give." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Family adopts recuse dog days after losing their beloved pooch — and makes a shocking discovery
It was an unfurgettable twist of fate. A San Francisco family grieving the loss of their beloved dog adopted an 'identical' rescue — only to discover the canines came from the same family. Rufus, a rat-terrier mix, had just passed away when Jillian Reiff came across a picture of a pup on Instagram that looked just like their late dog — with the exact same markings and ears. Reiff wasn't sure if she was ready for another dog just yet, but something pulled her to meet the pooch. 9 Jillian Reiff with her late dog, Rufus. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 9 Rufus was a rat-terrier mix. Jam Press/Jillian Reiff 9 Jillian Reiff came across a picture of a pup on Instagram that looked just like Rufus. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 9 The family adopted Ziggy on the spot. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue Four days later, Reiff and her family went to meet the dog at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and instantly fell in love. 'He felt like a gift,' Reiff told What's The Jam. 'Seeing his happy face reminded us so much of our beloved boy. It brought peace to a house that had been crying for days.' The family adopted him on the spot and named him Ziggy. The hound made himself at home right away. 9 Reiff wasn't sure if she was ready for a new dog after losing Rufus. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 9 The similarities between Rufus and Ziggy were 'uncanny.' Jam Press/Jillian Reiff Aside from the 'uncanny' resemblance, Reiff noticed that Ziggy had the same habits that Rufus did, such as greeting the kids every morning, pulling a blanket over his head at bedtime and howling like a wolf — which raised her suspicions. Reiff ordered a DNA test for Ziggy and matched the results to the one she had done for Rufus years prior — and the outcome shocked her. Ziggy and Rufus were not just the same mix. Ziggy was Rufus's dad. 'There is no science I can find to explain this, only kismet,' Reiff said. 9 Ziggy made himself at home right away. Jam Press/Contra Costa Animal Services 9 Reiff ordered a DNA test for Ziggy and matched the results to the one she had done for Rufus years prior. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue 9 Ziggy had a lot of the same habits that Rufus did. Jam Press/Muttville Senior Dog Rescue As it turns out, Rufus was adopted from the San Francisco SPCA nine years prior, while Ziggy recently turned up as a stray and was sent to the Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, located in the same city. Now, the Reiffs said their home is full of delight, feeling reunited with their beloved late pup in spirit and in the same home — all due to an Instagram post. 'We have cried many times since last Thursday, this time in unadulterated joy,' Reiff shared. 'The fact Ziggy is here and with us to spend the rest of his amazing life is because of Muttville.'
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Grieving family adopt 'identical' dog after losing pet then make wild DNA discovery
Jillian Reiff had only just said goodbye to her beloved dog, Rufus, when she found another dog that looked exactly like him, but it turned out there was more than just a resemblance A heartbroken family was left gobsmacked after rescuing a dog that was the spitting image of their late beloved pet – only to find out the pair were father and son. Jillian Reiff had barely finished grieving for Rufus, her cherished rat terrier cross, when she spotted a photograph on Instagram of another dog. The pooch was Rufus' doppelganger – boasting identical markings and ears. Though still devastated by her loss, Jillian wasn't certain she was prepared for another four-legged friend – but her instincts urged her to arrange a meeting. Merely four days afterwards, she and her loved ones popped down to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, where an instant attraction took place. "He felt like a gift," Jillian revealed to What's The Jam, adding: "Seeing his happy face reminded us so much of our beloved boy." "It brought peace to a house that had been crying for days." Jillian reckons the likeness was extraordinary, prompting them to take the hound home immediately and christen him Ziggy. Back at their place, Ziggy made himself comfortable right away – wandering through the front entrance like he was the landlord and forming an immediate connection with their senior dog, Petey. The similarities didn't end there – Ziggy began mimicking everything Rufus once did, from welcoming the children each morning to tucking a blanket around his head come bedtime. However, when he began howling like a wolf, exactly as Rufus had done, Jillian's gut feeling kicked in. She requested a DNA analysis for Ziggy, comparing it with one she'd arranged for Rufus years earlier – and the findings were absolutely staggering. Not only were they the same mix, they were family – Ziggy was Rufus's actual dad. It transpired that Rufus had been adopted from the San Francisco SPCA nine years prior, while Ziggy had recently been found as a stray and taken to Muttville, also in San Francisco. Now, spiritually reunited and sharing the same home, the Reiff family express their abode is once again filled with happiness – all due to a fortuitous scroll on Instagram. Jillian stated: "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." It follows news that Perranporth Beach in Cornwall has been voted the UK's best dog-friendly beach. Canine Cottages investigated beaches across the country in an effort to find the top locales. The verdict was decided after looking at reviews, dog-friendly activities, terrain and car parks. Perranporth Beach, situated on the North Cornwall coast, has plenty to offer, including rock pools, and is dog-friendly throughout the year. It's worth noting, however, that dogs must be kept on their leads in July and August on the main beach, although there remains ample space for your four-legged friend.
