| Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't | | | | go on (don't worry, at some point I will!). But one of |
| familiar with 21st century dogs. Time was when the | | | | the most notable signs that we regard our dogs as |
| average canine slept outside, ate whatever scraps of | | | | members of our family is the fact that we buy them |
| food were tossed his way, and if he was lucky, was | | | | gifts. A dog gift for the holidays, a dog gift for a |
| thrown the occasional bone. He was even expected | | | | special occasion, or a dog gift to show our |
| to earn his keep!Times have changed. As the world | | | | appreciation for how much our dogs appreciate us. |
| has grown more affluent, so have our pets. We're | | | | Any reason will do. Heck, we even wrap our dog |
| obsessed with keeping our canine companions happy, | | | | gifts! |
| healthy, and properly accessorized. So much so that | | | | Here are some very interesting statistics regarding |
| many of us worry about our own welfare less than | | | | gifts for pets:* More than half of U.S. households |
| that of our dog. This didn't happen overnight-- the | | | | have pets, and many of them are including their "best |
| trend started decades ago.Take, for example, my | | | | friends" in holiday plans.* According to a survey |
| grandmother Rose. During the 60's and 70's, Rose | | | | conducted by the Pet Supplies "Plus" chain, 97% of |
| and Henry discovered cruise vacations. On every | | | | its customers will buy gifts for their animals this |
| cruise, whenever they pulled into port to "shop", | | | | Yuletide season.* 28% of owners will spend more on |
| Rosie made it her mission to find stray dogs and | | | | their pets than on their spouses when buying gifts.* |
| feed them. She'd head straight for the butcher, buy a | | | | 47% will spend more on their pets than on relatives |
| few pounds of fresh meat, and comb the islands for | | | | other than their spouse.* 54% will spend more on |
| the hungry and homeless. She would exclaim, "It's a | | | | their pets than on their in-laws.* 83% will wrap their |
| crime the way these animals live!"-- in spite of the | | | | pets' gifts.* 68% claim that their pets will unwrap |
| fact that the people of those islands were | | | | presents themselves with their paws.* 71% will buy |
| desperately poor!Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not | | | | something practical for them.Buying gifts for our pets |
| passing judgment on Grandma, or anyone else. I spoil | | | | is only the half it. If someone we know is a pet |
| my pets as much as the next guy or gal, and take | | | | lover, we often show our support by giving the |
| immense pleasure in it. Truth be told, I'd rather hang | | | | person a pet-related gift. And, since the saying goes, |
| out with my dog than with a whole lot of people I | | | | "love me, love my dog", there's often pressure to |
| know. We share a special bond, my best friend and I. | | | | throw in a little dog gift for Spike too. For a casual |
| Hey, admit it... lots of you feel the same way!The | | | | dog-loving aquaintance, our dog lover gift might be a |
| fact is, man has always had a close relationship with | | | | simple coffee mug with a picture of their favorite |
| animals, and has enjoyed having pets around for | | | | dog breed. A set of plush doggie-themed golf club |
| companionship. Having a pet can bring great pleasure | | | | covers could make an amusing gift for a colleague. |
| into our lives, and is believed to have a therapeutic | | | | Maybe Aunt Janine has a collection of dog figurines |
| effect on the owner. For empty nesters and those | | | | we can add to. Or, at the other end of the |
| who've delayed or opted out of having kids, pets | | | | spectrum, one could splurge on a diamond-studded |
| almost take the place of children. We bond with our | | | | doggie themed bracelet for the wife (although I |
| pets especially because they don't judge us. Dogs in | | | | wouldn't recommend this as an anniversary gift. |
| particular offer the kind of unconditional love we all | | | | Unless you're verrry sure.) and a new house for |
| crave. They're always thrilled to have us around!So, | | | | Spike.The good news is, there's no shortage of |
| how do we spoil our pets?Probably in much the same | | | | goods and services to inspire even the most rabid of |
| way that we spoil our children! Aside from all of the | | | | dog lovers and dog gift shoppers. And dog lover gift |
| care attention lavished on America's pets, a | | | | shoppers. Whether the names on your gift list are |
| tremendous amount of money is spent providing | | | | human or canine, you'll never run out of things to buy |
| goods and services that were once deemed a | | | | and places to shop. If you're one of those gifted gift |
| luxury-- but are now considered essential.Today's dog | | | | givers who's never at a loss for what to get and |
| sees the vet for regular checkups. She eats premium | | | | where to find it I envy you. If you're more like the |
| dog food and munches on gourmet doggie treats, is | | | | rest of us, and you need a little help, you'll find plenty |
| enrolled in obedience classes, and runs agility courses. | | | | of ideas online (Ahem!). You can also look for future |
| She has her own collections of toys, clothing, and | | | | articles in this series, in which I'll hone in on various |
| possibly even dog jewelry and canine cologne. She | | | | ways you can pamper and reward the dogs and dog |
| sleeps indoors on a luxury orthopedic bed and takes | | | | lovers in your life.So go ahead, spoil your furry |
| shelter outdoors in her cedar dog house. She wears a | | | | friends. Celebrate your love for your dog, and your |
| safety harness when riding in the family car, a | | | | sister in law's love for her dog. Shower them with |
| reflective vest on hunting trips, and rain gear in foul | | | | goodies and gifts. It's a dog's life. And if I get to |
| weather. She can even dodge UV rays with a pair of | | | | come back for another round, I want it to be as one |
| doggie sunglasses. Her responsibilities are few.I could | | | | of those lucky dogs!! |