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Pets clean up for holidays
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20051205/bs_usatoday/petscleanupforholidays
 Pets
clean up for holidays
By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY Mon Dec 5, 7:12 AM
ET
Pet-supply sales this holiday season are expected
to get a boost from owners pampering their pooches
- some with high-end gifts more like gifts for
humans.
An estimated 31 million dog owners will buy gifts
for their dogs, including indulgences such as
high-tech gadgets and glittery accessories.
Holiday pet-gift sales rose 15% in 2004 over 2003,
says Bob Vetere, chief operating officer of the
American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.
"By buying pets a human-type gift, we are
making ourselves feel good and making them happy,"
he says.
For their pets, as for themselves, people want
products that fit their self-images. "They
see themselves in their pets," says Marian
Salzman, trend watcher and head of strategy at
ad agency JWT. "When you see people buying
a Burberry raincoat, it's a reflection of how
they see themselves. It's an interesting way to
state your own style."
Among the pet extravagances:
• Pet bling. At Le Prissy Pets in Honolulu,
a Swarovski crystal necklace with coordinated
"Mommy" bracelet sells for $200.
Chiffon collars with rhinestone embellishments
($8.99) are new at PetSmart, spokeswoman Shana
Costarella says. "With more families seeing
their pets as members of the family, much more
are including pets in their holiday plans."
• Gadgets. Gifts for the high-tech dog include
a GPS Globalpetfinder at Neiman Marcus for $350.
Coming in January and available for order now
is the PetsCell, a bone-shaped mobile phone by
PetsMobility in Scottsdale, Ariz. The waterproof
phone hangs from a collar and can be programmed
to recognize incoming numbers to pick up so the
owner can speak to the dog. Price: about $349
for the phone, plus $16-a-month calling plans.
• Riding in style. For the fashionable owner,
Neiman Marcus offers a Gucci dog carrier ($720)
that could double as a purse. "Our customer
is very interested in fashion and is up on the
latest trends," says Ginger Reeder, head
of corporate communications. "She wants that
for her pet as well."
• Relaxing in style. At Pluscious Pet Décor,
the painted bedstead ($799) features hand-painted
gingerbread detail, a carved-wood headboard and
velvet green roll pillow. A gold, red and black
Chinese box bed ($699) features a gold-accented
headboard and red satin sleep pillow with black
tassels.
"This Christmas, we've done really well,"
says Paul Mankelow, who runs the hand-crafted
beds company with partner Andre Ricard in Calgary.
• Spa treatment. At Dog Spa in Beverly,
Mass., pets can get $50 aromatherapy baths and
exfoliating treatments and wear monogrammed terry
spa robes ($29 and $40).
"We do a 100% increase in revenue for the
single month of December," says founder and
owner Tom O'Leary. "It's the one time of
the year when dogs who never get bathed have to
have a bath by Christmas."
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