My late cat Fudge, was one of my very competent product testers and many of her reviews feature in this product review section. That’s why when I learned about a company called Cuddle Clones that customize plush toys in the image of your pet, I thought that this would be an ideal way to honor her.
The idea of Cuddle Clones belongs to Jennifer Williams who enjoyed hanging with her Harlequin Great Dane, Rufus, and thought that it would be great to have a stuffed animal that looked just like Rufus. She knew that with his different-colored eyes and complex black-and-white markings, she wouldn’t be able to find something like this on the shelf in a store. And when Williams enrolled in the entrepreneurship-focused Integrative MBA program at the University of Louisville, as part of her course, students had to present their best startup ideas and track them. So Williams decided to pursue her Cuddle Clones idea and raise funds for her start up.
Fast forward and today, through their website, Cuddle Clones are now sold around the world.Many celebrities have also jumped on board to clone their favorite canines and felines including Shemar Moore from Criminal Minds, Amanda Seyfried and Olivia Wilde.
The process is a simple one. There is a form to fill out in which you list your pet’s significant features such as any special beauty spots and specific eye coloring. Fudge had the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen on a cat and a tiny black beauty spot on her pink nose. Then it’s a matter of uploading a variety of photographs that best show of your pet from the front, back and side angles.
When the Cuddle Clone in Fudge’s likeness arrived, I placed it on a counter on the landing at the top of our stairs and waited for my husband to discover it on his own. He was quite taken aback and admitted that he was caught off guard seeing it sitting there because of its beautiful resemblance of his favorite feline.
It’s a gentle way to memorialize a beloved pet and, as such, it get’s my Must Have Stamp of Approval. And further, if you are traveling and unable to take your pets with you, this plush cloned likeness travels easily and will appease your need for a fur fix.
Rest in peace my beautiful Fudge. You will always be my muse and inspiration and the Cuddle Clone in your beautiful likeness is a lovely gentle reminder of your presence.
