Love this touching and thought-provoking piece. Coincidentally, I recently interviewed a well-known bioethicist for Minding Mittens/Fireside C(h)ats and we talked about companion animal cloning. Several of the themes you raise came up too: the exploitation of the donor animals, the fact that there are so many animals waiting in shelters, the very real possibility that the animal won’t look like the one that passed. But most importantly, as you note, it won’t be the same animal. And there are no shortcuts in grief. It hurts but it is part of the package of sharing our lives with companions animals. It bothers me that there is now a whole industry out there preying on people when they are most vulnerable and promoting the idea that animals are commodities, to be replaced with one that’s ’just the same.’ So many interesting and ethically important issues to consider. And so much heart in your piece. Margo also had kidney disease and my little Maya passed from it, so I understand 🫂. Margo also blossomed when she became an only cat. All the best to you and your little sweetheart.
Thank you for this thoughtful response. I’ve been meaning to catch up with your feed; I always take away something meaningful whenever I read your pieces! It’s so nice to commune with someone who also so deeply appreciates what our feline companions bring into our lives. <3
Love this touching and thought-provoking piece. Coincidentally, I recently interviewed a well-known bioethicist for Minding Mittens/Fireside C(h)ats and we talked about companion animal cloning. Several of the themes you raise came up too: the exploitation of the donor animals, the fact that there are so many animals waiting in shelters, the very real possibility that the animal won’t look like the one that passed. But most importantly, as you note, it won’t be the same animal. And there are no shortcuts in grief. It hurts but it is part of the package of sharing our lives with companions animals. It bothers me that there is now a whole industry out there preying on people when they are most vulnerable and promoting the idea that animals are commodities, to be replaced with one that’s ’just the same.’ So many interesting and ethically important issues to consider. And so much heart in your piece. Margo also had kidney disease and my little Maya passed from it, so I understand 🫂. Margo also blossomed when she became an only cat. All the best to you and your little sweetheart.
Thank you for this thoughtful response. I’ve been meaning to catch up with your feed; I always take away something meaningful whenever I read your pieces! It’s so nice to commune with someone who also so deeply appreciates what our feline companions bring into our lives. <3