Good News, Fur Mamas: Talking to Your Pet Is a Sign of Intelligence

We named him Diego after Dan’s hometown San Diego. He also has the personality of a chill surfer dog compared to my slightly neurotic Lucy (above left, wishing she had her giant dog bed all to herself). His genetic origins, however, were somewhat vague. The adoption shelter suspected he was a German shepherd mix with maybe a smidge Boxer. We were certain of the shepherd part as he was always trying to herd Lucy into a corner — an action often met with fierce objection, but they've since grown to tolerate (and even sort of like) each other. Side note: Diego broke his leg falling down the stairs soon after we brought him home. Highly recommend pet insurance right after adoption!

Over the weeks and months, as he started to grow into his actual size (50 lbs-ish), we guessed maybe he had some pitbull in his heritage. When strangers inevitably asked what he was, Dan would jokingly reply, “American Fence Jumper.”

Meanwhile, my daughter was in dog heaven and kept declaring that when she gets old enough to have her own dog she is getting a Siberian Husky (she’s in the wolf phase of kid animal obsessions).

We used the at-home dog DNA kit, Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry, to crack Diego's DNA code. The test was pretty simple – easier than a Covid test – and required that we just swab his inner cheek for a saliva sample and mail it off.

We anxiously awaited the results and joked about having a breed reveal party (any excuse to gather, right?). We also wanted to know what we were in for in terms of health and behavior issues. Four weeks later, we received the email that would unlock the mystery.

The test revealed his behavioral traits like willingness to share (yes), separation anxiety (nope), possessiveness (not at all), noise sensitivities (calm), and more, helping us understand him a little better or just confirming what we already knew about him. We even met some of his genetic relatives!

Then of course was the biggest surprise: His breed. Any guesses?

Turns out, Diego is 49 percent Siberian Husky! My daughter was thrilled. His breed mix also included American Pitbull Terrier (26%), American Staffordshire Terrier (19%), and Australian Cattle Dog (6%). He's super social and loves everyone and every dog and is pretty much house-trained...except for the occasional shoe and rug casualty. We're working on it. 😉

You Can Buy The Test Here:

Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry

1. Lean Meats

Cooked chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef or pork can be given to dogs, but they should be boneless, skinless, and free from seasonings, butters, oils, or spices.

2. Fruits

Many fruits are safe for dogs, such as apples (without seeds or core), bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon (without seeds or rind). Remember to remove any seeds or pits of fruits, as they can be harmful to your pup.

• Apples
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupes
• Cranberries
• Mangoes
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Watermelon

3. Vegetables

Dogs can enjoy a variety of vegetables like carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet potatoes. Make sure to cook or steam them before feeding to aid in digestion.

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Celery
• Green beans
• Peas
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes

4. Rice and Pasta

Plain, cooked rice or pasta can be given to dogs, but only occasionally. Plain white or brown rice is suitable for dogs, but you should avoid flavored rice mixes or dishes with added spices that can cause harm. It's important to note that rice and pasta is not really nutritionally *necessary* for dogs, as pups primarily require a balanced diet of protein, fats, and carbohydrates that they can get from their regular dog food.

5. Plain Yogurt

Small amounts of plain, unsweetened yogurt without any added flavors, sugars, or artificial sweeteners can provide probiotics and be beneficial for dogs' digestive systems, supporting digestion, aiding in nutrient absorption, and contributing to a healthy immune system. Yogurt also comes in handy for your fur baby when they’re experiencing digestive issues such as diarrhea or an upset stomach. Furthermore, yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth in dogs, while protein is necessary for muscle growth and repair.

6. Eggs

Cooked eggs are considered a good source of protein for dogs, helping build and repair tissues, supporting muscle growth, and contributing to a healthy immune system. Cooked eggs also have a good amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and selenium, which all play important roles in supporting overall health and growth of your doggo. When giving your dog eggs, ensure they are fully cooked and avoid using any oils, seasonings, or additives.

If you have any concerns or questions about incorporating these human foods into your dog's diet, do consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice based on your dog's specific needs. Remember to always introduce new foods gradually and in small portions to monitor your dog's reaction.

A Full Relationship Timeline For Ashton Kutcher And Mila Kunis

1998 — Ashton Kutcher And Mila Kunis Cross Paths During That '70s Show

January 2012 — A Chance Encounter Leads To A Reconnection

The two didn't officially reconnect until the 2012 Golden Globe Awards (via PEOPLE). She was checking someone out...only to realize who it was once the person turned around! "I see this guy and I see his back and he’s really tall. Then he just turns around and it was literally like if we were in a movie, the music would start playing and the violins would go. I think for the first time ever he took my breath away – I was like f—, he’s good-looking," she shared.

Eventually the two decided to see what would happen if they started hooking up. Mila appeared on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast where she detailed what actually happened. "We were like, ‘Let’s just hook up. Let’s have fun. We’re both single. We both trust each other. Everything’s great.’ None of us wanted tension. OK, great. We hooked up for three months,” she admitted.

However, things took a turn when Mila realized Ashton was seeing someone else. She decided it wouldn't be a good idea for them to keep up their friends-with-benefit situation. "I was like…‘Oh, my God. I love this man, and I have to walk away because this is not the agreement that we had. And so I’m going to speak up," she said.

April 2012 — Ashton And Mila Say Goodbye To Casually Hooking Up

That didn't last long because it was apparent these two were smitten with each other. Mila really did try to set that boundary and break things off. "I was like, you know what, I actually care about you. I don’t want to mess anything up so I’m just going to walk away before it becomes too much," she said. But Ashton wasn't having it — instead he asked her to "move in," signaling he wasn't as serious about the other person he was dating (via PEOPLE). They've been together ever since!

February 2014 — Ashton Pops The Question To Mila

October 2014 — Baby #1 Makes Her Debut

Later that year, Mila happily announced she and Ashton were pregnant with their first baby while talking to Ellen DeGeneres. "We actually were able to hide it for a very long time," she said.

Their daughter, Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher was born at the beginning of October, according to Irish Examiner. The outlet highlighted the heartfelt statement Ashton wrote on his former website. "Mila and I would like to welcome Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher to the world. May your life be filled with wonder, love, laughter, health, happiness, curiosity, and privacy,”

July 2015 — Ashton And Mila Jump The Broom

After the couple got settled in as new parents, they decided to get married at the beginning of July. PEOPLE reports their wedding was intimate and only featured those closest to the couple. A source said the couple was "so happy" and "so in love."

November 2016 — Baby #2 Is Born

December 2017 — Ashton And Mila Walk The Red Carpet

The couple arrived on the red carpet for the Breakthrough Prize Awards at NASA Ames Research Center and they were all smiles! Ashton wore a classic black tuxedo and black bowtie while Mila wore a stunning strapless gown.

February 2021 — Ashton And Mila Star In A Commercial Together

The couple continued to maintain their low profile until they appeared in a 2021 commercial together. They hadn't acted together in a while, so it was fun to see them in the same frame. Mila even shared the hilarious reason they agreed to do the commercial.

"It was quarantine, and we were stuck with our children for nine or 12 months at this moment," she said (via Entertainment Tonight). All she could think about were the "two days" the couple would have a break which prompted her to say, "'Yeah, okay, let's do it.'"

2022: Ashton And Mila Agree To Reprise Their Roles From That '70s Show

January 2023 — February 2023 Ashton Gets Back To The Silver Screen...With An Exception!

It seems Ashton got a taste for acting again because he appeared in Your Place or Mine alongside Reese Witherspoon. Apparently he and Netflix agreed for filming to take place in California as opposed to Georgia because he had "young kids" that he liked "spending time with," (via Esquire).

As Ashton and Reese Witherspoon begin make their press runs, it became noticeable that they weren't actively leaning in to the rom-com aspect of Your Place or Mine. It got to the point Mila brought it to their attention. Ashton detailed how their conversation with during his time on the Chicks in the Office podcast (via Elle). "She [Mila] texted Reese and I together, and she’s like, ‘Guys, you gotta act like you like each other.’ And I’m like, ‘What is going on,'" he revealed. He then explained why he wasn't being publicly affectionate with Reese as they promoted the movie.

"Here’s the thing, if I put my arm around her [Reese] and was all friendly with her, I’d be having an affair with her... Like, the rumor would be that I’m having an affair with her. If I stand next to her, I put my hands in my pockets so there’s no chance that like that could be the rumor, the rumor is we don’t like each other," he said.

Reese even shared her side of the story when she talked to Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush-Hager. "She even emailed us last night. She goes, ‘You guys look so awkward on the red carpet together. Why are you just not—’ It’s just fun. When you know a girlfriend so much, it was just fun to get to know her significant other because I’ve loved her for so long,” she said (via TODAY).

October 2024 — Mila Shares What Makes Her And Ashton's Relationship Amazing

Mila recently opened up about why her and Ashton work together as couple as she promotes Goodrich. "I still feel like we're very young and we feel very young. I think that's where the spark is," she said (via E! News). However, she's not super in awe of how long they've been together. "It’s not really that long. I look at my parents, and they’ve been together for 50. That’s long," she added. However, don't expect her to talk about anything related to Diddy's scandal despite Ashton being friends with now-disgraced music mogul.

There have been rumors that Ashton and Mila are headed for splitsville, but a source close to them said they're "absolutely ridiculous and false" claims (via PEOPLE). Another source also wants to set the record straight about Ashton's perceived knowledge of what happened at Diddy's 'freak-offs.' "Ashton has no involvement in any of this. He doesn't belong in this conversation about Diddy. Ashton has only seen Diddy in a handful of social and business events, all of which have been documented by the media."

The rumors are probably also due to the fact that Ashton and Mila wrote a supportive letter for former That '70s Show co-star Danny Masterson (via PEOPLE). It caused a ripple effect that resulted in them releasing a public apology for seemingly defending what Masterson did.

As a result of all this, In Touch Weekly is reporting the couple is thinking about leaving the flashy life behind. A source said, "Ashton’s so exasperated that once again he’s being dragged through the mud because of his past associations." Between Masterson and Diddy, Ashton feels "convinced that there are way better places out there to live..."