ShareThisWe all know that people love their pets. In recent years, our four-legged darlings have gone from the new accessory to surrogate children. Even in this tough economy people are eager to pamper their furry companions.According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, we spent $40.8 billion on our best friends last year alone. Given that, I felt compelled to peruse a recent pet designer trade show to see what's new for our canine and feline babies.Wigs & WeddingsLots of people these days are including their best friends as, well, best men. To help make the bride and groom, and pup of honor's day better, Houseofdog.com offers an exclusive "wedding set."For the well behaved dog or cat, consider a collar and leash, the combination of which contains hundreds of hand-set crystals and a matching drawstring pouch to carry the rings. For the easily spooked, consider the wedding carrier, with satin heart accents and his and hers ring pockets. The pieces are exquisite, but not for the weak of wallet.Dog wigs, made by a celebrity-tested-and-approved wig maker, with names like Yappy Hour, Joe the Bartender, and Doll Face. See it to believe it at: wigglesdogwigs.com.Green & CleanYou're trying to do right by our planet, and that can extend down to certified organic, high-quality pet grooming products. SheaPet's shampoos, conditioners and pet remedies are cruelty-free and all start with Certified Organic, Fair Trade Shea Butter from cooperatives run by Ugandan and Sudanese women.Bonus: while your dog is getting clean and itch-free, proceeds help support fair trade as well as domestic pet charities.Double Bonus: The products are so seriously delicious you'll want to (and can!) use them on yourself. www.sheapet.comSafe & SmartWith all the fun and fancy items at this show, there was one that stood out to me simply because of its practicality. K9 Bags has new all-in-one bag dispensers that feature biodegradable bags, built in L.E.D. flashlights for better night vision and (let's be honest) to help find the poop, tiny built in hand sanitizers, hooks to hang the bags on so you don't have to carry filled ones around, and a reflector for safety when walking at night. You can find them at AffordablePetable.com for $12.95 each.Discerning consumers should also be on the lookout for head-turning message tees, red-carpet-worthy collars, and, for those who want Buddy to join them for happy hour, non-alcoholic Happy Tail Ale.(Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps company and the largest comparison-shopping search engine on the Web. E-mail askhelen(at)shopzilla.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
How to pamper your furry companion
Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 03/18/2008 - 11:46
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