Bringing Up “Baby”
A new generation of pet accessories gives new meaning to the word 'pampered'
By Maria Weiskott, Editor-in-Chief -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 2/1/2006
I was sauntering across Madison Square Park one recent morning, on my way to our offices in Manhattan, when I heard a cajoling female voice close behind me.
She was saying things like: “You're such a good girl; you ate al-l-l-l your breakfast. That makes Mommy so happy. Br-r-r, it's cold. Let's gallop and get warm.”
As the woman galloped past me, I saw a happy toddler bouncing along in one of those papoose contraptions on her back. With pigtails swinging and brown eyes wide, the little girl gave me a cheery wave with her mittened hand.
Obviously, I had overheard a mother talking to her daughter.
On yet another morning, as I meandered along my usual route across the park from subway station to office, I heard behind me what I thought was a familiar female voice.
She was saying things like: “We did a good job playing catch, didn't we my little sweetheart? Give Mommy a kiss. Oh-h-h-h are you too tired now? Okay, you hold the ball and I'll carry you home.”
Curious, I looked over my shoulder, and found myself staring straight into the big brown eyes of a beagle clutching a worn-out yellow tennis ball in her mouth.
Yikes! Or should I say, Woof! Could this be my little sweetheart?
As I watched the woman nuzzle the Snoopy wannabe — which was wearing a teal sweater, by the way — there could be no doubt: “My little sweetheart” was the dog.
But this coddled pooch was no ordinary dog; certainly not a member of the Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin generation. True, the two canine icons slept indoors, were fed dutifully and loved liberally — but they never wore clothes, for heaven's sake.
Yet if Lassie and Rin were around today, they might well be sporting teal sweaters of their own — designer brands, of course — and lapping spring water from china bowls. Indeed, “pampered pet” is a phrase whose time has finally arrived.
Today, cats, dogs and other household pets are treated more like family than animals, and the market has responded, providing food, care and accessories for pets that account for nearly $36 billion a year. The good news for gift retailers is that their shelves can be a destination for some of these very products.
And that's something to purr about!
