paying a heavy price -- $5,000 a month.

That is their travel and medical bill each time they fly to Boston.

And they have demanded to know why dogs could conceive through artificial insemination in Bermuda -- and not humans.

"What a slap in the face to see that dogs can receive a service that we cannot! "Perhaps we need to reduce the number of gynaecologists and bring in some vets instead!'' The couple hit out following the recent Royal Gazette article about Chelsea, the pure-bred Golden Retriever who became Bermuda's first dog to give birth using semen flown in frozen from America.

Last May owner, Carol Martin, arranged for frozen semen from a champion US dog to be flown to Bermuda.

Chelsea was artificially inseminated by vet Dr. Maureen Ware -and five days ago ten puppies were born. Unfortunately one died within 48 hours of being born.

She used the method with Chelsea because of difficulties in getting pure-bred dogs for breeding in America or Canada.

Chelsea, said Dr. Ware, was also a bad traveller and ran the risk of losing the pregnancy if forced to travel abroad.

The Paget couple, who did not wish to be named, pleaded the plight of childless Bermudian couples forced to go overseas and dip into their pockets for a service not covered by insurance.

In a letter in a recent Royal Gazette , the woman said: "`I was very upset to see your front page article concerning the artificial insemination of a dog.

"Perhaps you and your readers are unaware that this procedure is not available to humans in Bermuda.

"We have to travel on a monthly basis to the United States, causing an enormous amount of stress in an already stressful situation, incurring large medical and travel bills that are not covered by insurance, even though the service is not available in Bermuda.'' The woman told The Royal Gazette she and her husband had travelled three times so far to Boston's New England Medical Centre.

She reckoned the cost of the airfare, hotel and food came to about $2,500 for each trip. On top of that was the medical bill.

"We probably pay about $5,000 each visit -- which means we've spent $15,000 so far. We are just hoping we are going to strike lucky.

"But really it is not a question of cost. It is about the inconvenience and stress of it all.'' The couple already have a two-year-old son through artificial insemination.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann said artificial insemination required technical expertise and laboratories which Bermuda did not have.

He questioned whether such a service was economically viable in a small Country with a population of 60,000.

Dr. Cann pointed out artificial insemination for dogs was different than that for humans.

"I would say there are a lot more safety procedures involved when humans are concerned.'' A spokesman for BF & M Insurance Group said: "Generally health insurance covers necessary medical treatment, such as that for illnesses and accidents.

It does not cover elective treatment such as facelifts and artificial insemination.'' He added: "You will find the same situation in the States.''