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There’s a new joke making the rounds: “Who’s having children? People who can’t afford dogs.” Canine-driven consumerism reached a new high of $21 billion in 1996, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. And a 1995 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association showed that 7 out of 10 pet owners think of their pets as their children. In fact, nearly every goody once reserved for pampered offspring is now available for Rover, giving new meaning to the expression “It’s a dog’s life.”
—Carol Lloyd
| KIDS | DOGS |
| Mountain Camp II, Pollack Pines, Calif. $610 per week (includes sailing, windsurfing, fencing, and backpacking) |
Sierra Mountain Doggie Camp, Tahoe City, Calif. $1,500 per week (includes swimming, kayaking, hiking, and airport pickup) |
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| Healthy Times Biscuits for Teethers $1.99 for 7 ounces (ingredients: organic whole wheat pastry flour, unsulfured molasses, whey, water, canola oil, natural vanilla flavor) |
Haute Canine Natural Gourmet Dog Snacks $21 for 16 ounces (ingredients: stone-ground whole wheat flour, cornmeal, milk, eggs, soy oil, romano cheese, and garlic) |
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| Shampoo and cut at KidsCuts, NYC $23.95 |
Shampoo and cut at PetCo, NYC $30-$90 |
