Call it “Roots: The K9 Conundrum” (apologies to Alex Hailey): I’m very excited to learn about my mysterious mixed-breed dog’s ancestry. Yesterday, we got one step closer to that goal.

Last week,my vetcollected a blood sample and sent it off to the lab.

Below is the email I received yesterday from Mars Veterinary, which is running the Wisdom PanelProfessional test on Magnus the mutt. Wisdom Panel Pro is the state-of-the-art genetics test that detects 225+ breeds, types, and varieties and claims to have a 90 percent accuracy rate.

Asyou’ll see, the lettergraciously informs me that my dog’s blood sample arrived at their laboratory and I can expect the results of their analysiswithin3weeks. Can’t hardly wait!

Dear Julia,
You are just one paw print away from finding out the story of your dog’s ancestry with Wisdom Panel Professional.

We would like to inform you that the following blood sample has been received in our laboratory.
Order Details:
Name: Julia Szabo
Dog’s Name: Magnus
Sample ID: XXXXXXXXXX
Sample Type: Blood
Date of Receipt: 25 May 2011

Please allow 2 weeks time for processing. We will inform you when the results are complete.
Check the status of your dog’s report online. Use our test status checker application that allows you to watch the progress of your dog’s Wisdom Panel Professional report through each stage of our analysis process.

While we prepare to mail your dog’s report, you can cut out the wait time by accessing the report online direct from our Web site as soon as the analysis is complete. Most results will be available online within 3 weeks after the kit has been submitted to our lab for analysis. You will receive an e-mail alerting you that the report is ready to view online or you can check back periodically for the report in our online status checker application.
Please contact uswith any questions about Wisdom Panel Professional. Please include your order# and name in the e-mail subject line for a faster response.

Thank you for your order.

Sincerely,

Mars Veterinary
“The smarter you are about your dog’s past, the smarter you can be about his future”