Pet owners shell out big biscuits for holidays

Oh those eyes. Those sad eyes that follow you reproachfully out the door on the way to work.

And that hysterical tail-wagging in welcome upon your return.

So doesn't that unconditional love from your best friend deserve as much as your in-laws?

That's the reasoning keeping a lot of cash registers ringing at pet shops and groomers this season.

Americans spent $48.7 billion on their pets in 2007, according to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

"That exceeds the gross domestic product of 120 nations," IRMA spokesman Peter Gill said. "People want to lavish love on their pets and the holidays are one way to do it."

Judy Clifford, a manager at Katie's Cats 'N Dogs in Geneva backs up those numbers.

"There's more and more business this time of year," she said.

At Nature's Select, a company in Wauconda that delivers pet food and treats, the holidays are "huge" owner Anne Wotzak says.

"We see a minimum of $20 and up to $40. People are buying for their own dogs, plus friends and neighbors and in some cases, clients."

Top items this season?

Beef chews, peanut butter biscuits and chicken jerky, Wotzak said. "It's a very busy time for us."