I had Ellie’s genes preserved in April 2020, when she was 13, after I read an article about pet cloning. Ellie was my step-dogter that I inherited after my husband’s divorce. I had worked overseas for close to 10 years and when I came home, adjusting to life back in the United States was much more difficult than I anticipated. To compound issues my husband had to take a position overseas a month after my return. Ellie and I became inseparable quickly. I fell in love with her human like brain, naughty streak and her steadfast love and loyalty. She was my best friend and would force me to go outside and socialize, even when my anxiety and depression were telling me to stay inside. I owe so much to Ellie that I do not have words to describe. We had a bond as strong as and human one.
In May of last year, Ellie had a tumor removed that proved to be bone cancer. I was with her when we had to put her down after a valiant struggle in July. I still can’t write about her without tears running down my face. Her absence has left a hole in my heart. I am so grateful in retrospect that we decided to go ahead with the preservation a year earlier. If you are considering it, do it. Later this year we plan to initiate the cloning process and bring Ellie’s clone into our family. We know it won’t be Ellie, but she will have parts of Ellie in her. It is a huge comfort to have that option.