Archive for June, 2008

To Clone Your Dog Or Not 

Have you got the perfect dog and more money than you know what to do with? A Mill Valley, CA-based biotech startup called Bioarts is going to be auctioning five dog cloning services to the public. They have successfully created three clones of a Border Collie mix named Missy who passed away in 2002. To find out more or to see if you qualify for the auction check out the full article here.

Personally, I don't really have a problem with the process itself, if God allows man to acquire the knowledge to do things like this I guess they were made to happen. I can console myself with the thought that this cloning thing serves to expand the frontiers of science for man's benefit. However, I sure wish they would call it something less threatening than "cloning." When I hear that term all I can think of is the look on the face of Donald Sutherland when the aliens finally get him at the end of the movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. 

Pet Health Benefits Offered By Employers On The Increase

News from the AP tells us that while insurance coverage for pets via your employer is still rare the insurance industry predicts that this benefit will increase. At a time when employers are scaling back on almost everything, especially expensive health plans, pet insurance is gaining in popularity as an employee benefit. Isn't it comforting to know that your dog or cat is covered, even if you aren't?

The growth of this perk comes about as pets occupy an increasingly prominent place in the American home. (as if that is a big surprise!) It's estimated by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association that pet owners spent more than 9.8 billion on pet care in 2007. That's an increase of almost 3 billion over what was spent in 2001. Up to now only about 2% of our pets have any kind of pet insurance but experts predict that number to grow to 10% over the next decade as other options for animal medical care become available.

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New Blog Is For Oklahoma Pet Lovers – And Sets A Good Example For Pet Lovers Everywhere

While visiting my sister in Edmond, Oklahoma this past May I came across an article in the Oklahoma City newspaper, The Oklahoman about a new blog for pet lovers. Oklahoman's love their pets and given the chance will talk about them for hours. With so much to share about them, funny things they do, health, habits, endearing qualities and their impact on our everyday lives, NewsOk.com, their online newspaper has created a place for all pet lovers, not just the ones living in Sooner Country.

At www.newsok.com/pets you can view fun features like: Episodes of the Pet Show podcast, a weekly broadcast featuring guests from all over the pet world. The Dog House Blog provides news, advice, health and training tips. Part of the Family Blog with a website discussion board – do you consider your pet part of the family? 

Check it out – it's fun to see how people in different communities view and value their pets.