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