A story of love, loss & science

One bond.
Rewritten by science.

When Venessa Johnson lost Oliver, the Shih Tzu who had been her world for over a decade, grief led her to an extraordinary decision — and an even more powerful journey of reflection.

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The Story

A love that couldn't
be left behind

For more than a decade, Oliver wasn't just a pet — he was Venessa's constant companion through every chapter of life.

Oliver the Shih Tzu with his service dog tag, lying on a gray floor
Oliver — 2007–2024
Shih Tzu · Adopted from California · Venessa's companion for 11+ years

Oliver was everything

Venessa adopted Oliver, a 6-year-old Shih Tzu, from a family in California. From that moment, he became the center of her world — joining her at work, at Pilates, at dinners with friends. "I've been single for a very long time, so Oliver has been my main focus," she told PEOPLE.

In late 2022, Oliver was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Over two years, Venessa spent nearly $60,000 on treatments, doing everything in her power to save him. On December 23, 2024, Oliver died in her arms.

"I completely fell apart. I couldn't work. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep." She eventually moved in with her parents in Claremont, California because she simply couldn't function on her own.

"

It was Oliver's eyes looking at me, but it was not wholly him. It's a piece of him, but it's not him.

Venessa Johnson — on meeting Ollie for the first time

Timeline

The journey from
loss to life

~2013
Venessa adopts Oliver
A 6-year-old Shih Tzu from California becomes the center of Venessa's life, accompanying her everywhere — work, fitness, social gatherings.
Late 2022
Cancer diagnosis
Oliver is diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Venessa spends nearly $60,000 on treatments over the next two years, fighting to save him.
Dec 23, 2024
Oliver passes away
Oliver dies in Venessa's arms. Overcome with grief, she loses weight, can't work, and moves in with her parents.
Dec 27, 2024
DNA preserved with ViaGen
Four days after Oliver's death, a vet collects skin samples from his ear and belly. Despite less than 10% odds due to freezing, Venessa banks his DNA.
Feb 2025
Cloning decision & $50K commitment
About 1.5 months later, Venessa commits to the cloning process. She pays for the $50,000 procedure with company RSUs.
Nov 2025
Ollie is born
On the third embryo attempt, three puppies are born — one is Oliver's clone. Venessa names him Ollie and brings him home at 8 weeks old.
Nov 22, 2025
Honest reflection goes viral
Venessa posts a candid TikTok sharing her mixed feelings. "I made this decision out of profound grief when I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm not proud of it." The post sparks global conversation.
By the Numbers

The scale of one
extraordinary decision

$50K
Cost of cloning through ViaGen
11+
Years together with Oliver
4
Days to preserve Oliver's DNA
The Science

How pet cloning works

The same breakthrough technology that created Dolly the sheep in 1996, now refined for companion animals.

🧬

DNA Collection

A veterinarian takes a small skin sample, typically from the ear and belly of the pet. The cells are then multiplied in a lab to create a viable cell line for the cloning process.

🔬

Nuclear Transfer

Using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the DNA is removed from a donor egg and replaced with the pet's DNA — creating a genetically identical embryo.

🐕

Surrogate & Birth

The embryo is implanted into a surrogate dog. ViaGen, the only U.S. company offering pet cloning, reports cloned dogs share appearance, intelligence, and temperament with the original.

"

Had I waited and grieved properly, I absolutely would not have made this decision. I would have gone to a shelter and adopted an older dog that needed a home.

Venessa Johnson — on reflection, January 2026

Looking Forward

Turning a personal story
into a platform for good

Today, Venessa is using her experience and viral platform to advocate for shelter animals and honest conversations about grief.

Advocacy & Fostering

Venessa has committed to fostering senior dogs once Ollie is fully trained. She uses her growing TikTok platform (@venessamj) to highlight the urgent need to support shelter animals.

"I completely understand the criticism, and honestly, I agree with it," she says openly, turning her story into a catalyst for change.

  • Fostering senior shelter dogs
  • Promoting adoption over cloning
  • Open dialogue about pet grief
  • Supporting animal rescue organizations

A message about grief

Venessa's story resonates because of her honesty. She doesn't present cloning as a solution — she presents it as a deeply human reaction to devastating loss, and encourages others to grieve fully before making irreversible decisions.

Ollie today

The cloned puppy doesn't replace Oliver. He reminds Venessa of him. For some people, that reminder feels healing — and Venessa is learning to embrace Ollie as his own dog with his own personality and journey ahead.

Press & Media

Featured in

Venessa's story has been covered by major publications worldwide.

Vice
People Are Spending $50,000 to Clone Their Dead Pets
December 2025
Just Jared
Woman Who Cloned Her Dog Reveals Unexpected Second Thoughts
January 2026
Chip Chick
She's Cloning Her Dog and Shelling Out $50,000
July 2025
Dazed
What's It Really Like to Clone Your Pet?
2025
New York Post / Yahoo
I Spent $50K Cloning My Dead Dog — Here's What It's Like
2025
People
Woman Clones Late Dog for $50K While Under 'Profound Grief'
2026
Get in Touch

Press inquiries &
collaborations

Venessa is available for interviews, speaking engagements, and partnerships with animal rescue organizations.

Venessa typically responds within 48 hours.

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