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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