Features News
Pets clean up at Christmas
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
FarkWhen it comes to her six dogs, Heather Schuller of Wall makes sure they have the very best.
Schuller’s dog, Leya, might just be the only weimaraner in town who sports nail art, or in this case, claw art. Leya also owns four coats for different occasions, as well as several other outfits.
“They’re part of the family. They sleep on the bed. They’re spoiled,” Schuller said of her canine companions.
For Christmas, Schuller makes sure her pets have plenty of gifts. She buys the pooches chew toys, knotted rawhide bones, balls and various other toys. She always wraps the gifts so the dogs can smell what’s inside.
“I usually let them unwrap their own presents,” Schuller said.
Schuller is hardly alone in either her pet-spoiling habits or her plan to holiday shop for them.
Americans will spend an estimated $40.8 billion on their pets this year. Much of that tab will cover veterinary care and food, but a healthy portion of it goes toward things such as cashmere beds and monogrammed toys.
Black Hills pet owners aren’t quite so elaborate in their pet gift giving, but they spend on their pets nonetheless, say local pet store owners.
Barb Paur, owner of Paws in Rapid City, said pet clothing is a hot item this holiday season and all year long.
Paws stocks a wide variety of jackets, from bomber jackets to wind breakers to barn coats. The coats go for about $20 and sell consistently. “With this burst of cold weather, a lot of people are coming in to buy their (pets) winter coats,” she said. “The pet-related clothing line - it’s real hot in the market.”
Rick Wiese, manager of PetSmart in Rapid City, sees the same shopping trend at PetSmart. But during the holidays, the Christmas-themed clothes are extra popular.
“We had an end cap full of Santa Claus costumes,” he said. “All that Christmas stuff - it’s gone already.”
Peggy Brugger of Rapid City buys clothing for her dog, Tasha, a 17-year-old poodle, but it has far more to do with Tasha’s well-being than her style. She’s an older dog with closely cropped hair, so Tasha needs the added warmth, Brugger said.
Brugger suspects that most Black Hills pet owners are like her ” more interested in keeping their pets healthy than in making a fashion statement. “We’re not the Paris Hilton types (in South Dakota)” she said. “I think we’re more reasonable. We do it more for their comfort.”
Still, Brugger admits she spoils her dog, cats and horses. “They’re pretty pampered,” she said.
Specialty treats are another big seller this season. Laura Sumner, manager at Pet Pantry in Rapid City, said the major pet shopping doesn’t kick into high gear until closer to Christmas. When it does, the treats are one of the biggest sellers for her.
“They just kind of fly off the shelves - the little goodies,” she said. “Anything Christmasy, I think, catches their eye.”
One of the hot holiday pet gifts at Paws this season isn’t for dogs and cats but for birds. Paur sells bird pinatas, filled with fruits and other bird food, in the shape of Santa or a candy cane.
When it comes to holiday shopping, Wiese thinks pet owners get a lot of satisfaction in shopping for their pets.
Something about it feeds their holiday spirit. And he doesn’t see it slowing down any time soon.
“People almost take more time shopping for their pets than they do for their kids,” said Wiese, who would probably know. His last job was at Toys R Us.
Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.
Heather Schuller combs through her dog Squirt’s hair at Wags to Whiskers on Saturday. Schuller said she likes to decorate Squirt’s hair with a bow or a barrette. (Ryan Soderlin/Journal staff)
The opinions above are from readers of rapidcityjournal.com and in no way represent the views of the Rapid City Journal or Lee Enterprises.
Rapidcityjournal.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters.
If you don't see your comment, perhaps...
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy