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For A Toy The Beloved Will Slobber On, Try A Gift Registry

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

My cat Tank is unimpressed by a recent birthday gift: a two-tiered cat dish designed for food on top, with motorized, swimming goldfish below.

My dog Buck scoffs at the smell of the hard rubber "indestructible" thing in his toy basket, no matter what gooey treat I stuff inside. Like I do, he probably thinks it smells like a peanut-filled Michelin tire. Yuck!

Of course, I appreciate these gifts that have been bestowed upon my pets by friends and family. But sadly, they lie un-slobbered upon as if on an island of "misfit pet toys" - just like the "Charlie in the Box" no child wants in the "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" animation.

Fortunately, there's a new development that's gaining ground in the pet retail arena that may just fix this problem: pet gift registries.

Gift registries, of course, are nothing new. They've helped people choose wedding presents and baby gifts for quite some time.

So why shouldn't they help people choose gifts for pets?

"Birthdays, puppy showers, canine weddings or engagements are most popular," says Rene Neff, owner of Downtown Dogs, a luxury pet boutique in Tampa's Hyde Park Village.

Neff officially launched a pet gift registry, or "wish list," earlier this week as a way of providing a higher level of personalized service to customers.

"Our customers enjoy spoiling their dogs so offering a special wish list tailored to their pet's likes is exciting for pet parents," she says.

The registry is available in the store and at www.shop downtowndogs.com.

Just south of downtown Clearwater, pet boutique Fluffy Puppies has offered a gift registry in the store for about two years.

"We added a registry at the request of a customer who had a first birthday puppy party in our store," owner Kris Logan-Walker says. "It was a huge hit."

Walker finds that the registry is most popular for birthdays and Christmas; free gift wrap is included.

"Even spouses buy off the list," Walker says.

Some will surely find this concept over the top, but in today's world, adopting a pet is a lot like having a new baby. With all the luxury furniture, toys and convenience items available for pets, one can easily spend as much money on a new puppy or kitten as a baby.

Not to mention, one could argue that young critters need as much attention as a child. Therefore, a new pet is a big event - one worthy of a shower!

Neff notes that the registry option is most appealing to young couples or singles with no children.

The trend isn't yet widespread, but given the growth of the pet luxury market, pet gift registries are sure to multiply.

"More and more people are asking about it, but then they're surprised when we actually say we do offer a gift registry for their pet," Neff says.

Pet registries work just like the human wedding or shower registry. You choose your pet's favorite items, in appropriate sizes or flavors offered by the retailer, then spread the word to friends and relatives using special cards designed as invitations or announcements.

Then you just sit back and wait for your pet to be showered with what your four-legged friend really wants.

Two years ago, Kathy Clark of Clearwater threw a birthday party at Fluffy Puppies for her Yorkshire terrier, Riley. More than 25 people bought from the gift registry.
Gift registries also are nice for people who live out of town and have no idea what to get your pet.

If your pet is likely to receive gifts this holiday season, why not give a registry a try?

(In case you're wondering, Tank loves rope toys, and Buck has a fetish for fuzzy squeakytoys).

Write to Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; fax to (727) 934-6451; or e-mail Kristen@fetchingcommuncations

CRITTER CALENDAR

Humane Society

Voluneer Search

Join the Humane Society of Pinellas' team of volunteers and be a part of the "Canine Enrichment Kong Team" on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 State Road 590, Clearwater. For information, go to www.humane

societyofpinellas.org or call (727) 797-7722, Ext. 237.

Hair of the Dog Part 3

Swing by the Hair of the Dog Part 3 fundraiser for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay from 5 to 7 tonight at MacDinton's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. There will be drink specials, prizes and live entertainment. For information, go to www.humanesocietytampa

.org or call (813) 876-4150.

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