Newmarket man clones beloved dog Woofie in a Canadian first that cost him $90K – CBC.ca

Nearly nine months ago Matthew Johnson introduced CBC Toronto to his beloved dog Woofie, a 20-year-old German Shepherd-Dingo mix who was on his last legs.

At the time, the Newmarket man was on a mission to clone his pet, who he said saved his life when he was fighting a case of meningitis in 2016.

Now, in a Canadianfirst,the cloning is complete, andas the original Woofie passed on, two new clones have entered Johnson's life. The entireprocess cost Johnson just under$90,000.

"When we were first introduced, [Woofie Junior] jumped up, barked at me and looked me dead in the eyes and I was like, 'Yep! That's Woofie,'" said Johnson.

Owner Matthew Johnson and one of the Woofie clones. (Grant Linton/CBC)

The cloning resulted in two pups, one named Woofie Juniorand the other Blondie.

Theyhave been home for just two days but Johnson said he's already seeing hints of his old companion.

"I put Woofie's toys out, I saved them all ... [Woofie Junior]went for the exact ball that was Woofie's baby toy," said Johnson.

Johnson said between the two, one looks more like the original Woofie and has shown more distinct signs of Woofie-likebehaviour than the other one, so he named the pups accordingly.

"It's crazy; like every marking is just the exact same," saidJohnson when talking about Woofie Junior.

The whole process set Johnson back just under $90,000 (Grant Linton/CBC)

Johnson saysWoofie Jr. has the same slinky walk that theoriginal Woofie had, which was passed down from her Dingo ancestors.

Johnson said WoofieJunior even cuddles up in bedin the same way the original Woofiedid when Johnsonwas fighting for his life with meningitislast year.

The cloning was completed through a laboratory in Texas calledViaGen Pets.

Woofie Junior and Blondie share a meal. (Grant Linton/CBC)

Johnson said after CBC Toronto first reported on his intentionto clone Woofie, he received some flackabout his choice, given the thousands of dogs in animal shelters all over Ontario.

But he saidthis situation is different.

"This is about having a dog that was in line with me ... in unison ... it's about companionship."

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Newmarket man clones beloved dog Woofie in a Canadian first that cost him $90K - CBC.ca