When our kids were young and we had dogs, we did not have to spend a lot of money on the dogs except for an occasional vet bill. Those days have gone for many. I suspect the willingness to spend fairly serious money on dogs is akin to the Lake Woebegone illness affecting many modern American parents.
As with we humans, keeping animals healthy is expensive. Annual healthcare spending on pets have increased by 50% in the past decade; it is now $655 annually on average. Apparently for some, the idea of health insurance for dogs makes a lot of sense as there are insurance companies which do not insure people, they insure animals.
And then there are the neccesities: Martha Stewart-brand dog beds ($49.99 for the "Bonequilt Snuggler" model at PetSmart.com), BK Atelier's luxury poop-bag holder ($39.99 at bitchnewyork.com) or special meals costing $7/pound. We're talking only of dog as normal pet. If your dog is in the world of dog shows, you're talking big money. One dog handler reports such necessities as pet psychics, dog chiropractors, luxury motor homes that allow the furry little kings and queens to travel between shows in style.
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