When John Mendola’s beloved pet dog was diagnosed with terminal cancer he decided to have her cloned.
Mr Mendola is a retired New York police officer. Back in 2006 he was on duty at a station on Long Island when a small, scruffy stray dog was brought in.
“The dog was matted, you couldn’t even brush her… and she had bad teeth, yet she was absolutely adorable and so appreciative,” he says.
Coming off duty that day, Mr Mendola told his colleagues there was no need to take the white and brown furry animal to a shelter as he would take her home with him. “It was the best thing I did in my life,” says the 52-year-old.
The rescue dog, a designer breed called a Shih Apso, loved children and playing. Mr Mendola named her Princess after the numerous heroines in Disney animated movies.