Here’s the ultimate truth no one tells you: when you adopt a rescue pup, you’re signing up for a little mystery. That’s right! You can read the paperwork, scroll through the Petfinder description, study the photos, but you’ll truly meet a dog once they’re in your home.
One Texas family learned this firsthand when they adopted Ella, a “Labrador Retriever mix” from a local shelter.
Ella, who looked nothing like Lab, always sparked a little curiosity. That’s why, months later, her owners decided to DNA test her and put the mystery to rest once and for all.
What they discovered was truly shocking!
Ella’s Shocking Identity
When Martin, a Texas resident, found Ella on Petfinder, she seemed like the perfect match for his mom, who just lost her beloved dog. The pup was described as a large breed, gentle and calm, all the qualities Martin had been looking for.
However, one thing seemed off: her breed. Ella was listed as a Labrador mix, which didn’t quite suit her physical appearance.
“She was listed as a “Labrador retriever” on petfinder, “lab mix” on the rescue form, and “pit mix” on the vet records she came with,” Martin wrote in a viral Reddit post.
On top of that, Ella’s previous life was pretty much a mystery. Her microchip revealed that she had originally been registered in Louisiana. And her belly definitely suggested that she had had several litters before.
Despite all that, Ella adjusted slowly to her new home. A quiet life with Martin’s mom was perfect. She could finally rest, recover, and rediscover trust.
But one question lingered: what breed was she?
Even though the family didn’t plan to do a DNA test, they couldn’t help but wonder what DNA Ella had in her. So after Martin did one for his own dog, a Heeler, he decided to do one for Ella, too.
The result was shocking!
Ella’s adoption information wasn’t accurate at all. As it turned out, she was a purebred Catahoula Leopard Dog.
The revelation surprised absolutely everyone.
Now it was clear: Ella was likely part of a careless breeding operation: hence, her sagging belly. Once she was no longer of use, the breeder had probably abandoned her.
“Nice, Calm, Easy”
While some dogs burst with energy, Ella is the polar opposite. And her family loves her exactly the way she is!
“Laziest dog I’ve ever met. Napping is her favorite hobby,” Martin added.
Her gentle laziness and a content appearance have made her an absolute sweetheart.
She’s not the kind of dog that needs endless activity or attention. And even though she’s purebred, her family adores her not because of her pedigree but for her personality and connection.
“Not very bright, but sweet. She is excellent at her intended job of being a nice calm easy companion for my mom,” he concluded.
One thing is certain: Ella’s DNA test definitely didn’t change how her family sees her. It only confirmed that this rescue pup was always one of a kind.