Picture Perfect Holiday

Picture Perfect Holiday

WEST CHESTER, PA - Coordinating the holiday family photo can be challenging. Find the time, choose the place, select the outfits and call the family members. Did you remember everyone? Curl the hair, tug on the tights, and tie the bows. Pile in the SUV, and let’s go!

Wait! Don’t forget Fifi! No holiday family portrait would be complete without including the family pet. Chances are good you are among the 62% of U.S. households owning a cat, dog or bird and participating in the latest trend -- “humanization” of pets – caring for animals according to human patterns and human aesthetic standards.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers’ Association (APPMA), American’s spent over $32 billion dollars on their pets in 2003. What can we possibly be buying? There are treats and toys, obedience classes and doggie daycare, scratching posts, grooming, jewelry and clothing. Clothing?

Yes. Your dog will be the focal point of the family portrait with his reindeer suit, complete with booties and antlers. Overstated? You can purchase the antlers for a third of the cost and dress kitty, too. “Our reindeer and Santa suits come in three sizes,” says pet products veteran, Jill Gizzio, founder of DogToys.com and CatToys.com. “No one escapes the humiliation…and the best part? The photos our customers share with us.”

“We take gift giving for pets seriously, especially during the holidays,” said Gizzio. It’s a great time of year to donate toys to animals waiting in shelters to be adopted. We have resources on our web sites for shelters to sign up to receive donations and to help customers locate an animal shelter in their neighborhood. We provide discounts on our donation gift packs to encourage giving at the holidays.”

There you have it folks. If you want your pet to be picture perfect for the holidays, remember up on the house top . . . click, click, click.