ST. ALBERT, Alta. — A southern Alberta couple are $14.5 million richer thanks to two mischievous dogs.
Christian and Monique Etienne of Airdrie purchased the winning ticket for the Lotto 6-49 draw on Dec. 12 while getting supplies to clean up after their rescue animals.
Chancey the golden lab and Kira, a German shepherd, had made a mess with a package of scone mix and the Etiennes needed to rent a carpet cleaner at a gas station.
Christian discovered the win on the self-checker when he took the ticket back to a retailer a few days after the draw.
His wife thought he was pulling her leg when he told her they'd hit the jackpot.
The couple don't have a lot of plans for their winnings yet, but it's a safe bet Chancey and Kira won't be spending much time in the doghouse.
“Right now we’re just enjoying the Cloud 9 feeling,” Christian said Tuesday as the couple's identity was revealed.
“We were talking about how we can just help to make a lot of people happy,” added Monique. “I’ve always wanted to take my mom back to Norway, her home country. Now I can!”
