I dedicate todays page to my black and white dog, who sadly, unlike the bean, is nearing the end of his life-cycle. It makes me consider the emotional issues related to cloning. I would clone him if I could - he is the most wonderful dog I have ever had. As the beans grow, they create more beans - so simple. And dogs do. We do. Sometimes. But in this case not. So there is no 'next years crop' to take his place. Only silence. And I have to make the decision. Make the appointment. Agree to have him 'put down'. A ridiculous term to use for an animal - put down where? Down a hole? Down in hell? Is this a term left from days of religion - were animals not thought worthy of being put 'up' to heaven?

Well I will put Rory 'up' as opposed to 'down'- I will put him up as an ftp file and he will stay there in my memory, wagging his tail