And now for a real shaggy dog story: As far as the gift industry
is concerned, man's best friends are back in vogue. Sure, cats
are cute--but dogs are the animal attraction of the moment.
Why? Anthony De Masi, editor in chief of the trade publication
Giftware News, points to the increase in male gift
buyers--men theoretically being the more dog-friendly gender--as a
key factor propelling the sales of dog figurines, T-shirts and
Christmas ornaments. Then, too, the nation's conservative
political bent might also play a paw--er, part--in the trend toward
dogs.
"Dogs are a conservative animal; cats are a liberal
animal," claims De Masi. "It's amazing--but it's
true. The fact that Clinton has a cat is no accident."
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So it's out with Socks and in with Snoopy? You got it. But
lest you bark up the wrong tree, remember that dog lovers tend to
shop with specific breeds in mind--and puppies are especially
welcomed. What's more, when laying out a welcome mat for
dog-loving consumers, take heed of the growing demand for products
and services that cater to the pampered pooch. Observes De Masi,
"Dog owners aren't thinking twice about buying really good
dinnerware for their dogs."