When Tom Brady announced his new puppy Junie wasn’t just any rescue—she’s a genetic replica of his late pit bull mix Lua, created from a blood sample taken before Lua’s 2023 death—the internet erupted. “I’m a dog guy and a Brady guy. This is weird as f*ck,” tweeted Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy, capturing the mix of fascination and unease rippling through pet owner communities. But beyond the headlines about the $50,000-$85,000 price tag and Colossal Biosciences’ role in the cloning, there’s a deeper story: how far we’ll go to preserve the emotional bonds with our pets.
The Science Behind the Headlines
Brady’s clone journey began with a simple blood draw from 12-year-old Lua before she passed away in December 2023. Working with Colossal Biosciences—where the NFL legend is an investor—the sample was shipped to Viagen Pets & Equine, the same company that cloned Barbra Streisand’s Coton de Tulear in 2017 and Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua Diamond in 2022. The result? Junie, a puppy with Lua’s exact DNA, now running through Brady’s Florida mansion.
The tech isn’t new, but the price is still crazy high. Viagen charges $50k-$85k for dog cloning, making it total luxury territory. “It’s not just about the money—it’s about emotional currency,” says Dr. Sarah Wooten, a vet and pet behavior expert. “For celebs like Brady, this is the ultimate ‘I can’t bear to lose you’ move.”
The Pet Emotional Economy Boom
Most of us can’t afford to clone our pets, but we’re still spending big to keep ’em happy and healthy. The global pet emotional economy’s projected to hit $150 billion by 2027, with luxury pet products leading the charge. Presentdog’s sales data backs this up: organic hemp calming beds are up 42% year-over-year, while diamond-studded collars (yep, really) spiked 28% last holiday season.
This isn’t just spoiling our fur babies. The American Pet Products Association found 78% of dog owners see their pets as “full family members,” and 65% put their pet’s comfort before their own. “Cloning’s just the extreme end of things,” says pet industry analyst Mark Simmons. “From $85k clones to $200 ortho beds, we all wanna extend and boost our pets’ quality of life.”
Beyond Cloning How to Honor Your Pet’s Legacy
Not everyone’s on board with Brady’s approach. The Humane Society calls pet cloning “unnecessary animal exploitation,” pointing out 3.1 million dogs enter U.S. shelters yearly. But no matter where you stand on the ethics, there are meaningful ways to celebrate your pet’s life without the lab bill.
Check out these luxury alternatives that nurture your bond:
- Memory preservation: Custom oil paintings from photos ($150-$500)
- Comfort extensions: DNA-preserving pet urn necklaces ($99-$299)
- Wellness upgrades: CBD-infused senior dog supplements ($45-$89)
- Legacy projects: Donations to breed-specific rescues in your pet’s name
At Presentdog, we’ve put together a collection of premium products made to honor these special bonds. Our Italian leather harnesses (handcrafted, $189) and temperature-controlled pet beds ($249) mix durability with that “you matter” quality. ‘Cause even if we can’t all clone our pets, we can all give ’em lives full of comfort, joy, and love.
The Future of Pet Care Is Personal
Brady’s clone dog has started an important conversation: What does it mean to be a responsible pet owner in the age of biotech? As Colossal Biosciences grows—with Brady talking about “saving endangered species” alongside pet cloning—one thing’s clear: our relationship with animals is evolving faster than ever.
Whether you’re Team Clone or Team Adopt, the core truth stays the same: our pets give us unconditional love, and we’ll keep finding new ways to give it back. This holiday season, skip the sci-fi stuff and focus on right now. Spoil your current pet with the luxury they deserve, and make memories that don’t need a lab tech to preserve.
Ready to up your pet’s quality of life? Check out Presentdog’s exclusive luxury pet products, where every item celebrates that amazing bond between you and your fur family. ‘Cause the best way to honor a pet’s legacy? Making the most of every moment together.