Tom Brady says his late family dog never truly left — his new pup is a clone created using ‘simple blood-draw’ technology
Losing a beloved pet can be one of the hardest experiences for any family. Tom Brady recently revealed that his new dog, Junie, is a clone of his late pet, Lua, who passed away in December 2023. With the help of a "simple blood-draw" technology, Brady worked with the biotech company Colossal Biosciences to bring Lua back as Junie. The retired NFL star shared this touching news on November 4, 2025, alongside an announcement from Colossal about a new business partnership.
According to PEOPLE, Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech company that Brady invests in, carried out the cloning using a non-invasive technique. The process began when blood from Lua was collected before she passed away, allowing scientists to preserve her genetic material. Months later, that sample was used to create Junie, a dog that looks and behaves strikingly like Lua. “I love my animals. They mean the world to me and my family,” Brady said in his statement to the outlet. “A few years ago, I worked with Colossal and leveraged their non-invasive cloning technology through a simple blood draw of our family’s elderly dog before she passed.” He added that the company “gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog.” Brady also said he is excited about how this type of science can comfort grieving families while also contributing to animal conservation efforts.
Colossal’s cloning achievement comes at a time when the company is expanding its scientific reach. On the same day Brady shared his story, Colossal announced its acquisition of Viagen Pets and Equine, a company already known for cloning the pets of celebrities such as Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton. Viagen was responsible for cloning Streisand’s dog, Samantha, and Hilton’s missing dog, Diamond Baby, into two new puppies. Both companies now share access to technology originally developed by the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, the same institute that cloned Dolly the Sheep in the late 1990s. Colossal, already famous for its “de-extinction” projects, including efforts to bring back the dire wolf and the dodo bird, believes this merger will advance its mission to use cloning not only for pet owners but also for protecting endangered and extinct species.
Lua, the original Pit Bull mix, held a special place in Brady’s heart and was a constant presence throughout his years with his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen. The couple adopted her during their marriage, and she became part of their family, appearing in social media posts and even starring with Brady in a 2014 Ugg Australia commercial. When Lua passed away in late 2023, Bündchen shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing, “Our little Lulu, our guardian angel, is gone to heaven. She will forever live in our hearts. We already miss her so much!” Brady also expressed his grief, sharing photos of Lua with their children, Benjamin and Vivian, and writing, “We love you Lua, RIP. Forever in our hearts.” It's safe to say that Junie’s arrival has brought a sense of comfort and connection back into Brady’s home.