Marshall Hoffman
Stevens County Times
It’s too bad that Henry Louis Gates, Jr. doesn’t do a canine version of his popular PBS genealogical research show “Finding Your Roots.” If so, he would no doubt find his way to rural Alberta, Minnesota and the farm home of Abby Lietz and her family.
The Lietzes recently adopted a border collie mix named Piper from the Stevens Community Humane Society. Piper looked a lot like one of their other dogs, Cookie. “We weren’t really looking for another dog. We have a lot of creatures,” explained Abby Lietz. “But something struck me about her.”
After a brief fostering time, Abby said “it became clear right away she belonged with us.” They thought it would be good for their 3-year-old dog Cookie – a serious-minded worker – to have some canine companionship. So they decided to adopt Piper.
Both Piper and Cookie had one big spot in the exact same place on their back. Even though their colorings were different, they had similar personalities, were both a border collie mix, and had the same herding dog instincts. Abby said they decided to do a DNA test on the dogs, thinking they might be cousins.
“We got the DNA test back, and it popped up that they were sisters!”
“It’s just very strange for all the things to line up, how their pathways intersected,” Abby noted. “It’s just super cool. Piper could have ended up anywhere…so it’s possible but very unlikely” that two canine siblings separated for some years would wind up by chance living in the same household. “Everyone is very ‘cooled out’ about it,” she offered.
“What are the odds?” asked their Humane Society agent, April Mevissen, who is a board member with the Stevens Community Humane Society. (“Extremely low,” according to an AI search.) Mevissen had known Lietz from the 4H dog program, which is in its second year, and was already familiar with their dog Cookie. Mevissen had fostered Piper for three weeks and said Abby “was the first person I thought of” as a candidate to adopt her. “A farm is where she needed to end up, so I’m happy that’s where she got to go.”
Abby said they initially had to work hard to get the two siblings to play, but now the two are the best of friends. After being separated at birth and reuniting a couple of years later, did the dogs have an inherent sense that they were siblings? “I think they’ve got to know somehow, by smell or whatever, “ said Abby. “But my husband thinks they don’t have a clue.”
It’s definitely a full house on the Lietz farm. Besides Cookie and Piper, they have an older dog named Bernie, some barn cats, dairy goats and chickens. A number of upright animals live on the farm, too: husband Jim, children Max, Gus and Charlie, and Abby’s mother Judy Williams also resides on the property.
The family has no plans to get any more dogs anytime soon. Everyone does a share of the work looking after the various animals. “Somehow, we make it all work,” said Abby.
Getting DNA tests is becoming more common for dog owners, primarily for those who want to know the breed of their dog. Abby said she found two DNA tests on Amazon for $120.
Lietz had high praise for the 4H dog program, which offers obedience and showmanship training, and a chance to go to competitions. Her son Gus and Cookie did well at the last Minnesota State 4-H dog competition. Her son Charlie is excited to start doing the program with Piper. The program, she noted, is a great way for dogs to get more socialization, “which is so important for dogs.” 4-H is trying to grow their dog program, and Lietz put a plug in for dog owners to contact Stevens County 4-H for information on how to get your kids and their dogs involved.
As for our local Humane Society, they are always looking for volunteers to help at the shelter. Those interested may call 320-589-0378. The Humane Society has also recently started a food shelf for pets. People can support this effort either monetarily or by donating food that their pets did not care for.
And finally, the Stevens Community Humane Society’s largest fundraiser of the year – Wags, Whiskers and Wine – will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at Old #1 Southside in Morris. The event features dinner, a silent auction, wine pull, grab bags and a short presentation. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Contact the Humane Society about any of these efforts.
