Meet Vardis, a rescued dog who is now 3 years old and has spent almost half of his life moving about between different homes and shelters.
Vardis spent the most of his life by himself, but all of that changed not too long ago when he ran across someone he’d known since the day he was born and was able to quickly recall her face. Since then, he’s been surrounded by people.
When Vardis showed up at One Tail At A Time (OTAT) in the year 2021, his saviors didn’t know anything lot about his history. The shelter in Chicago was aware that Chicago Animal Care and Control had taken him in as a young puppy during the summer in question; however, they were unaware of how he came to be at the facility or of whether or not he was accompanied by someone.
The only thing that OTAT was absolutely certain of was the fact that the puppy was suffering from a severe case of pneumonia. Due to the gravity of the situation, the team quickly responded in order to provide Vardis with the necessary medical attention. He eventually made a complete recovery and won the hearts of everyone who cared for him throughout his time in the hospital.
Vardis was able to meet his first foster mother, Lynsey, as soon as he was well enough to enter the foster care system. Vardis gained the necessary mental stimulation that his young, active mind required via his time spent with Lynsey. He discovered what it felt like to go to sleep in a warm and welcoming environment. In exchange, Lynsey gained a better understanding of Vardis’ character and quickly developed an interest in the breed of his dog.
When Lynsey sent Vardis’ DNA through Embark’s Breed+ Health kit, she was somewhat aback by the results, which revealed that the dog she had always thought to be mostly a black Lab was, in reality, a mix of golden retriever and American bulldog, with a ratio of 50 to 45. This information was relayed by her to Jessica Jones, Vardis’ second foster mother, who eventually took the little girl in as a permanent resident of her house later that same year.
The findings of Vardis’ DNA test initially had little impact on his day-to-day activities. When he was under Jones’ care, he maintained his previous pattern of traveling the globe and befriending people he met along the way.
“I like to refer to him as an extrovert who loves to meet neighbors and say hi to his friends,” Jones said in an interview with The Dodo. “Once he makes a new buddy, he keeps in touch with them for the rest of his life! When he runs into them again, he will be insistent on greeting them and receiving a few scratches or a belly massage.
Then, one day, Lynsey, who had been Vardis’ first foster parent, received an email from someone who had given their dog the same DNA test as Vardis. They were able to determine that their dog, Brunch, was a DNA match for Vardis by using the related finding option that Embark provides. Both of the canines had originated from the Chicago Animal Care and Control, and it seemed that they were the same age. Vardis was ecstatic to finally reunite with his long-lost sister.
Lynsey sent Jones their contact information, and Jones did not waste any time in setting up a playdate. At first, Jones was unsure about how Vardis would respond when he saw his littermate for the second time.
I was a little worried because Brunch’s family indicated that Brunch can be a little selective when meeting new dogs.” “Vardis usually comes on a little strong, which is something that other dogs do not always prefer,”
However, as soon as Brunch and Vardis looked at one other, she realized there was no longer any need for her to be concerned.
Jones said, “It was a lot of fun to watch Vardis and Brunch get together again.” “Right from the beginning, they seemed to have no trouble getting along with one another!”
The two became fast friends and seemed to start up precisely where they had left off in their previous interactions. They began their playdate in the front yard with sniffs and tail wags, but they went swiftly to the back yard, where they could truly let loose and run about.
“The two have very similar play styles,” remarked Jones. Both of them like bumping their playmate with their butt in order to “kind of herd” them to the location that they want.
After finishing their favorite snack together — a cheese stick — the two siblings gave each other a last hug and kiss before going their separate ways. They have not yet gotten together for another playdate, but Jones and Brunch’s parents are looking forward to setting up another one for them in the near future.
While Vardis is patiently waiting for his next playdate with Brunch, he is continuing his search for the ideal place to call home permanently. Because Vardis would do better as an only child, neither Jones’s nor Brunch’s family is the greatest choice for him. He would do best in a home with no other children.
According to Jones, “Vardis loves other dogs, but is probably best suited as a single dog with lots of dog friends to visit,” “Vardis is looking for a loving home with people to cuddle and play with,” said the adoption counselor.
Vardis can’t help but feel impatient as he awaits the arrival of his ideal forever family. Up until then, he’s going to spend his time curled up close to his foster family and drinking in as much affection as he can get his hands on.
According to Jones, “He is the most loving and cuddly 70-pound lap dog you could ever hope to find.” “He really is the most amazing young man!”