Take a look at this video and offer some feedback, if you'd like. I'd be intersted in knowing how the general public feels about this issue. >> Company taking bids to clone dogs <<

Sept. 11 rescue dog to be cloned  

A German shepherd that served as a rescue dog in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has been chosen for cloning by a Mill Valley, Calif., company. 

BioArtsInternational said retired Canadian police officer James Symington wrote an essay about his dog, Trakr, that won the company's contest to find the most "clone-worthy dog,"  
the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.  Symington and Trakr were among the first search-and-rescue teams to seek out survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks at Ground Zero in  
New York City. 

Trakr, 15, now suffers from a degenerative neurological disorder that experts said may be linked to exposure to toxic smoke at the World Trade Center site in  
Lower Manhattan.  "We received many touching submissions to our contest, describing some truly amazing dogs," BioArts chief executive Lou Hawthorne said. "Trakr's story  
blew us away. His many remarkable capabilities were proven beyond all doubt on our nation's darkest hour -- and we view the work of cloning him as a great honor."

DOG TIP

If your dog spends time in your yard be aware of the schedule of your lawn maintenance service. Pesticides and herbicides applied to your lawn can be dangerous to your dog. Contact hypersensitivity and gastrointestinal disturbance can occur as a result of contact with these chemicals. Be sure to follow the instructions of your lawn service and if you have questions call poison control or your veterinarian. 

CAT TIP

Kidney disease appears mostly in older cats but is possible at any age. Initially you may notice changes in urination or drinking (more and more often), but as the disease progresses, you may see weight loss and more-severe evidence of a buildup of toxins in your cat's body such as vomiting.
Be concerned if your cat is urinating and drinking excessively. These symptoms can mean any number of problems. Observant owners may also note reduced appetite, more frequent vomiting, less grooming, and weight loss -- but these symptoms are usually later-stage results of kidney failure.
Some veterinary researchers have proposed that chronic kidney problems are caused by bacteria entering the blood of cats whose gums are badly infected. Although the impact of an infected mouth is still under debate, research does suggest the importance of preventive dental care for your pet.