Genetics Savings and Clone: cash cow of the future Thousands of people are clamoring for cloned pets, in the hope of reincarnating their favorite dog or cat. Even though its technology has not yet proven itself, "Genetics Savings and Clone" hopes to cash in on just such services: "We've done the market research. If you get the price below $10,000 for a dog and $5,000 for a cat, we can't begin to fill that. You break those price points and you basically have an unlimited market." (Right now, it's six figures and up [and yes, they've cloned a kitty.]). There are other ethical issues too, not the least of which include unleashing genetically altered animals on the world. [Technology Review] Related: Cloning Pets: Fluffy 2.0

Old police dog hangs up his leash CA Old Robby, a "10-year-old Belgium Malinois, is hanging up his collar, turning in his leash and wagging farewell to the men and women in blue at the Baldwin Park Police Department." He served well and remained vigilant and loyal, despite the many injuries he received in the line of duty. "Robby also demonstrates a spirited initiative off the job. He's hidden Hemenway's car keys in his doghouse and opened the refrigerator door with his paw to swipe a pizza. An empty pizza box was the only clue to his dastardly deed..." [Pasedena Star News]

Castaway dog rescued by swimmer FL "...one lucky pup was found by a real dog- lover swimming nearly two miles offshore in the Northwest Channel past Christmas Tree Island off Key West...the dog was large, emaciated, and could barely sit up. ..it took the entire crew and charter clients to get the dog out of the water and safely aboard the vessel..." Later, an attending veterinarian doubted the dog would survive its ordeal." [KeysNews]

Seeing-Eye Glove vs. Seeing Eye Dog UK "A glove that buzzes to indicate the location of objects is one of the technologies aimed at improving guiding for the blind... It is a technology born of frustration with the present state of what the blind call 'wayfinding.' "

"Guide dogs must be looked after, trained, and taken to the vet. They can miss obstacles like overhanging branches. The result is that less than 1 per cent of blind people in this country currently own seeing-eye dogs, estimates Bill Thornton, executive director of B.C. Guide Dog Service... " On the positive side, guide dogs provide companionship, additional guard dog services and more human like feedback; a glove can malfunction, cost a great amount of money, and definitely provides an impersonal touch (sic) [The Globe and Mail Tech Investor]