The couple won the "Golden Clone Giveaway" contest sponsored by BioArts in 2008, in which they wrote to the company and explained why Trakr was an ideal candidate for cloning. The company's other dog cloning clients have paid an average of $144,000 to clone their canine pets, but Symington and McCarthy will receive their puppy clones of Trakr for free.

Click here for video of Trakr and his cloned pups.

BioArts holds an exclusive worldwide license for the cloning of dogs, cats and endangered species, and is partnered with Sooam Biotech Research Foundation of South Korea, the world's foremost experts in canine cloning. The cloning of Trakr occurred at Sooam under the direction of Dr. Hwang Woo-suk, who in 2005 won renown for the birth of Snuppy, the world's first canine clone.

"It was an honor for us to be able to clone Trakr, who was an exceptional dog in every way," says Lou Hawthorne, CEO of BioArts. "We're delighted to bring these beautiful puppies to James and Angeline, to continue the legacy of an amazing rescue dog."

First serving as a K9 police and search and rescue dog, Trakr was credited with hundreds of arrests and recovered more than one million dollars in stolen goods.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Trakr and his partner, then Police Officer James Symington, were one of the first K9 search and rescue teams to arrive at Ground Zero. Braving horrific conditions, the pair helped locate the last human survivor of 9/11.

"Once in a lifetime, a dog comes along that not only captures the hearts of all he touches but also plays a private role in history," Symington wrote in his winning essay in a contest to find the world's most "cloneworthy dog."

For his heroic efforts, Trakr was presented with the Extraordinary Service to Humanity Award by Dr. Jane Goodall, United Nations "Messenger of Peace," and was featured in books and magazines dedicated to 9/11 heroes including Dog World and In the Line of Duty.

About his late K-9 partner, Symington said, "I am fortunate to have been Trakr's partner, best friend and lifelong companion. He possessed a rare combination of uncanny intuition, pure heart, and relentless courage and has been an inspiration to so many. He'll live in my heart forever."

Photo courtesy D S Simon Productions Inc