NEED TO KNOW

Over a decade ago, when Venessa Johnson learned that a family in California was looking to rehome their 6-year-old Shih Tzu, Oliver, she spontaneously agreed to adopt him

However, when Oliver died of cancer in December 2024, Johnson’s devastation led to a decision she admits she is “not proud of”

Johnson tells PEOPLE she paid $50,000 to "clone" her late dog, and picked up her new puppy in November 2025

In December 2024, Venessa Johnson’s 17-year-old Shih Tzu, Oliver , died in her arms after a two-year battle with aggressive cancer.

“Oliver was everything to me. I've been single for a very long time, so Oliver has been my main focus,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

The 48-year-old admits she “almost went broke” after his diagnosis, spending nearly $60,000 on treatments

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