Stella and Roxie met at a doggy daycare in Victoria, Australia. They were only five months old. From the start, they played together like they'd known each other forever. Their friendship became a heartwarming story that touched many people online.
They shared similar personalities, sizes, and colors. They even wore similar collars. The biggest surprise was that they were born on the same day. Stella's owners contacted the breeder. They found out Stella and Roxie were sisters, born in the same litter and adopted by different families.
This reunion isn't unique. Research shows puppies can recognize their siblings and mother, even after months apart. According to a study, puppies can recognize their siblings through smell, even if they haven't seen each other for a long time. This suggests that smell plays a crucial role in canine recognition and family bonding. Further research indicates that puppies can distinguish between their siblings and other dogs, even when visual cues are limited. This ability is likely due to the unique scent profiles of each individual dog, which are established early in life and retained in their olfactory memory.
Dogs use smell as an emotional memory. Experts say dogs recognize each other more by smell than by sight. When Stella and Roxie met again, they may have instinctively known who the other was.
Their owners have decided to keep them together. They will make sure the sisters continue to see each other. They enjoy running and sleeping together. They also know they are family, which makes their bond even more special.