The B Plot Father’s DNA
By RICHARD VIRGILIO
Everyone in Asbury Park resembles a character from ‘Sex in the City.’ For Sex in Our City, which character are you? I think I channel Miranda most often.
Some friends believe I most resemble the character Charlotte. This, partially because Truman is the baby I adopted from Asbury Park Animal Control. Kind of similar, I guess, to when Charlotte adopted a child from China.
This Father’s Day, Truman celebrates his second year as my adopted baby. He is definitely a Virgilio family member: making me crazy and love him concurrently.
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I received the results of my baby’s Wisdom Panel doggy DNA test. The eight-pages of customized results were surprising and the information that accompanied the results was cooler than I ever imagined.
A few weeks ago I told you Truman and I went to the Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital and visited with Asbury Park resident Dr. Danielle Rawlins D.V.M. Dr. Danielle graciously and patiently explained the test, its implications and extracted a teeny vial of blood from him.
Two weeks later I received the results.
The most surprising revelation was that Truman has zero of the Boxer breed in him. You and I (judging from the emails you sent me) really would have put money on the fact that he was partially Boxer.
Truman is comprised of five different breeds of dogs, demonstrating: when I think about it – noticeable traits from all of them: Irish Terrier, Border Terrier, Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Mastiff and Staffordshire Terrier.
There’s tons more amazing detail in the ‘results package’ however I refuse to become one of ‘those people’ who drone on about how perfectly, dynamically genetically interesting their baby or grandchild is.
The results of this, the most extensive canine DNA test around (detecting 134 AKC recognized breeds), will prove invaluable for the long and short term, immediately to explain some of his personality and more; for years to come, to help determine potential health risks and how to avoid these risks, as Truman ages.
The info empowers his veterinarian and I – actually saving me money by eliminating the need for some potential future health screenings.
Doesn’t it just blow your mind that there is a DNA test for dogs? I know Carrie Bradshaw would be impressed.
Wisdom Panel DNA test: $124.95 (online) plus vet fees, which should simply be for a standard exam. More info at: WisdomPanel.com.
Briefly: See you this Saturday, 8 pm, at ReVision Theatre’s debut one-night performance of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in ‘Hello, Dolly!,’ at the Paramount Theatre.
Also, I am loving David Sedaris’s just-launched tome “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.” David is totally one of my favorite writers. Great gift for Dad, it’s what my dad is getting. Great beach read, too.
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Published every Thursday.
