I know not all dogs look alike – but golden retrievers tend to break that rule. With faces and fluffy fur that can sometimes make them seem identical when you have a bunch of these happy dogs in a group, it can be hard for people to tell them apart.
So owners often use collars, or bandanas with a variety of colors and designs to make sure they know which dog is there. But even then, the dogs can be hard to tell apart. Which is what one Virginia family learned after picking up their freshly-groomed dog from daycare. While Kebby Kelley dropped their dog, Emmy, at daycare, it was their son who picked up the family pet.
We just never even thought that that would happen, and of course we thought we would know right?”
“Like we’re her parents, we would know something was wrong, we would know right off the bat that it wasn’t Emmy,” Kelley said. When the son brought Emmy home, the family just assumed the minor differences they noticed were only due to the grooming she got.
Emmy, left, and Maddy, right, pose in all their glorious cuteness after their mix-up at daycare. Photo courtesy of Fox 5
However, the family cats, who typically loved their canine sister, began attacking and hissing at the dog in their house. The dog seemed unbothered by the cats, and kept up her happy attitude. She even handed out face kisses which, the family said, was the first real clue that something was off about their dog.
Emmy’s owners said their dog almost never licked faces, however this dog both licked and nibbled on the husband’s nose, leaving a small mark. At one point, when ‘Emmy’ saw her favorite neighbor, instead of lavishing him in affection, the dog completely ignored the neighbor.
Kelley became worried that Emmy was possibly sick or that something had happened while the dog was at daycare. The family also began to worry that the dog was sick. The dog in their house, Kelley said, was anxious and panting heavily. So the family took the dog to an emergency vet. While there, the family began to understand that this dog might not be their beloved family pet.
Kebby and Joe Kelley talk about their recent doggie mix-up. Photo by Fox 5
And then the vet checked the dog’s microchip – the family was right, the dog was an imposter.
We just never even thought that that would happen,” Kelley said.
The family had been taking Emmy to Affectionate Pet Care, and once they contacted the daycare, it was quickly sorted out that Emmy’s ‘twin’, Maddy, had accidentally been switched. Despite the mixup, the family said they still plan to take Emmy back to the daycare. However,
“From now on, like before we pick her up, we’re checking her tongue,” Kelley said. “We’re making sure that birthmark is there because believe it or not, it wasn’t that hard — that’s why we can’t be too upset with the day care center. They look so much alike! It’s really difficult.” She also had another piece of advice for pet owners – microchips. Watch below to see the “twins” and their accidental switch.
