Dear Budleigh,
So Barbra Streisand cloned her dog? Seriously? They can do that? Does it cost a lot? How much lightning is involved? Is the clone exactly like the original dog or more of a sequel, like Funny Lady vs. Funny Girl? Could you explain the scientific process, the ethical and moral implications, and whether Barbra will come do the procedure? ‘Cause I’m big fan! So’s Chip, who’s a hound mix and very musical.
Thanks, Budleigh!
T.W. and Chip
Budleigh says:
Dear T.W. & Chip,
It will come as no surprise to longtime readers that I have a very strong opinion on this issue, which is “What’s cloning?”
Usually when faced with a controversial topic I’m not familiar with, my Giants research it by watching MSNBC then yelling at each other until I find clarity. Since they were busy binge watching The Crown, I explored the issue using SIRI. He’s this Airedale I know from the dog park.
BUDLEIGH: “Hi SIRI! Hey, nice ball!
SIRI: “Achh-ak ha-hauk unc!”
BUDLEIGH: “Sorry?”
SIRI: (Drops ball) “I said, ‘How can I help you?’”
BUDLEIGH: “What’s a ‘cloning?’”
SIRI: “Today will be warm and sunny. You have no appointments.”
BUDLEIGH: “Thanks! What about a ‘Barbra Streisand?’”
SIRI: “Your destination is in 300 feet on the left!”
BUDLEIGH: “Great! So….that’s everything?”
SIRI: “Haunk-aug achh a’han!”
More recently I’ve learned that cloning is a process used to create DNA fragments, cells, or organisms and that Barbra Streisand has aged out of most movie roles.
Two of Barbra Streisand’s dogs were cloned from her late dog Samantha, a Colon de Tulear (French for “Is this your colon?”) Samantha was 14 years old, or about 72 in dog years. The cost was $50,000, or $350,000 in dog dollars.
While the cloning process is quite complicated I’m sure I could perform it. Begin with a denucleated egg, then insert cultured somatic cells from the donor. Bake in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 minutes at 425 degrees. Let cool, then cut into identical dogs.
But is cloning right?
Certainly, I’d clone one of my Giants – the yelly one who usually overfeeds me. Also that fat, black squirrel in the back yard. Just a little more practice, I know I can get him.
Obviously, I’d clone my tug-tug, food dish, and that particularly intriguing utility pole at the end of the street. What else…what else?
Oh, well me, of course! And by the thousands. Imagine great, majestic herds of me stretching to the horizon. What a gift to my Giants I would be. We would be.
But might such a sudden wealth of terriers cause my Giants to be overwhelmed, even dismayed?
Possibly. And, so?
If they need help they can always ask SIRI.
Budleigh
Budleigh is so smart and he has his priorities right!