Should we clone our pets

In a magazine recently I read an interesting article called 'can we clone our pets' however I think the question is incorrect.

The question that should be asked is should we clone our pets.

In this technology advanced age at some point it is a foregone conclusion that we will be able to clone beloved pets, amongst other things, such as 3 parents to reduce disease.

However in a world where we cannot manage to house the pets that we have and over 3 million animals are put down in the US alone, is it fair to clone a pet that has just died.

I myself have had 2 beloved dogs, both Norfolk terriers. The 1st was called Archie and he was very loved as he was my 1st dog, he had him for 13 years before he passed away, and when he was gone we we're devestated.

After 2 years later we made the decision to get a new dog although we were worried that he might replace Archie, so we had our 2nd dog called scrubby.

Whereas Archie was temperamental and complicated, Scrubby was mellow and easy going, Archie was golden and beautiful, Scrubby was foxy red and handsome.

We found out by looking at Scrubby's pedigree certificate that he was actually related to Archie through a grandmother.

The point that I am trying to make is that if we had cloned Archie we would never have had the joy of Scrubby.

Now that Scrubby has passed my hope is that in a few years we will get another dog, maybe a different breed this time as I do not want to push my luck.

Also what about the cost, how much would it cost to clone a pet, surely it would be thousands of pounds / dollars, therefore this would be a luxury of the rich.

Personally I would rather rehome.

At some point we will start to play with the animals genes and the DNA and who knows what will evolve, 6 legged dogs, cats that can fly, tiny elephants - it sounds crazy but humanity does like to tinker!

Please any thoughts or comments below, thanks ;0)

Reflections

Wow, so 2014 is over and is it me or did that year go really fast.
Although I do enjoy Christmas, spending time with my family and giving presents, it's also a period of reflection and I also seem to notice what is missing from my life, I seem to be the eternal singleton (that's another story).
It's not that I hate my life, I work, have a nice house and a family that loves me, with a niece and nephew that worship me (the feelings are mutual).
It's just this is the time of year when everyone is suppose to be really happy and for me that never happens, am unsure why, the most that I am is content.
This year I have made a greater effort - I am trying to learn another language, do some online courses, trying to learn the piano, to go out more, to try to do some new things and visit my sister more often.
I am currently on my way from Cardiff (Wales) to Reading (outside London) to spend New Year's Eve with my sister and her family.
I have been advised that they will going to bed at 10pm, so the 2 hours that I see them will be great(!).
The train is really packed but instead of people reading books and magazines almost everyone is on their phone or listening to music. How times have changed that I can carry my entire music library around with me including audiobooks and podcasts.
As its January 1st I will be filled with the hope that although my circumstances will not change much next year, at least I will be slightly happier and that's all that matters.
So I am wishing you all Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a good new year. May you all have a good year with things that make you happy