| There was once a time when dog owners were | | | | dollars. While most of that sum is made up of very |
| content to give their K9 friends an old blanket in a | | | | normal pet supplies like food and medication, there |
| chewed up basket for a bed, a ready supply of dry | | | | are also those who will pay thousands of dollars for |
| dog food, regular trips to the vet, and the occasional | | | | things like a "pet stylist," who will help make more |
| bone left over from a steak dinner. Today the status | | | | pooches appear more fashionable. |
| of pets has changed dramatically in our society, as | | | | Another area where dog pampering has reach new |
| dogs in particular are viewed more like children now | | | | levels is in the popularity of dog shows, or |
| than as pets. For example, 20 years ago, terms like | | | | 'confirmation shows' as they are sometimes called. |
| "dog hotel," "K9 cosmetic surgery," and "designer dog | | | | The largest and most prestigious dog show in |
| collar" would have sounded alien. Today these terms | | | | America is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. |
| are commonplace in many regions. | | | | It was established in 1877 and is usually held each |
| As a consequence, dog pampering (for lack of a | | | | year at Madison Square Garden in New York City. |
| better description), has become a massive market | | | | The 2008 show had a total entry of 2,627 dogs. Dog |
| and a booming industry. The English retailer, Harrods, | | | | breeders are attempting to utilize the most modern |
| recently quadrupled the size of its pet department to | | | | of technologies, even going so far as to dabble in |
| eleven thousand square feet, and carries items like | | | | controversial areas like genetic engineering and |
| Juicy Couture dog tracksuits, and bejeweled dog hair | | | | cloning. |
| clips. Harrods also hosts an annual pet fashion show. | | | | So why are pet owners worldwide becoming so |
| During this show, attendees can gawk at exquisite | | | | much more willing to spend lavishly on their beloved |
| K9 jewelry like a $25,000 Swarovski | | | | animal companions? There are many potential |
| crystal-encrusted dog bed and a nearly $500,000 | | | | reasons. Perhaps it is our increasingly fragmented |
| diamond dog collar by the jewelry icon Stephen | | | | society, and the rise of divorce rates coinciding with |
| Webster. | | | | the deterioration of the modern family unit. Perhaps |
| Furthermore, this insanity is not contained just within | | | | pets and dogs especially, can help fill a void that is |
| the British Isles. Americans have managed to make | | | | present in many modern people's lives? Whatever |
| the pet market a recession-proof industry, with the | | | | the cause, the upward trend of excessive pet |
| pet industry projected to grow roughly 5% in 2009. | | | | spending seems to be one that will continue into the |
| In the last decade, American spending on pets has | | | | foreseeable future. |
| doubled to the eye-popping total of $43.5 billion | | | | |