Imagine losing your smartest and most cherished pet and then getting the chance to bring its unique spirit back, not once, but twice! This extraordinary story comes straight out of Canada, where a woman got two adorable ragdoll kittens, clones of her late cat, after shelling out a whopping 50 grand.
Meet Kris Stewart, a dedicated pet owner whose love for her furry friend knows no bounds. Stewart’s journey began right after the heartbreak of losing Bear, her ragdoll cat who was only five when a traffic accident tragically cut his life short in 2022. Mounting a mission to bring Bear’s amazing personality back, she reached out to a Texas cloning company called ViaGen.
February 2022 marked the start of her cloning quest, just a month following Bear’s passing. It wasn’t smooth sailing, though. Stewart faced not one, but two setbacks in her cloning venture, proving that copying her beloved pet wouldn’t be an easy feat. But she did not give up hope.
“Bear was the smartest animal I think I’ve ever had, and I’ve had animals since I was two years old,” Stewart shared in her chat with CBC. It’s clear that Bear wasn’t just any ordinary cat to her; he was a standout companion.
So, how does this cloning magic happen? It all starts with Bear’s DNA, which scientists carefully place into an embryo. That embryo is then introduced to a surrogate cat mommy who nurtures and gives birth to the new kittens. It’s like a sci-fi story but utterly real!
Fast forward to Jan. 10, when the stars aligned and two new furry bundles of joy arrived, Bear Bear and Honey Bear. They spent the first two months of their lives cuddling up with their surrogate mom at the company’s New York facility. Only recently did Stewart have the joyful experience of embracing her two new fluff balls, bringing full circle her dream of having Bear’s legacy live on.
Most folks would balk at the $50,000 price tag, but not Stewart. She told CTV last year that when it comes to her pets, the cost is just a number that fades in the light of her devotion to them.
“So I just think an animal that smart that gave me so much joy should be replicated. And that’s what cloning is,” she eloquently put it. Stewart’s tale isn’t about a “poor money manager,” as some might jest. It’s a story of a pet owner’s love that transcends the ordinary, embracing the incredible possibilities science offers to keep a cherished bond unbroken.
In a world where pets are part of the family, Stewart’s story of Bear Bear and Honey Bear is a testament to how far we’ll go for our furry friends. It’s about love, resilience, and a little touch of science, blending to create a heartwarming tale for the ages.