Pets can have it all

Olivia has it all.

The 3-year-old English bulldog from Naperville has a closet stocked with outfits and accessories that could make Paris Hilton jealous.

Winter coats, jumper jogging suits, designer dresses, denim skirts, charms and elaborately studded collars are only some of the four-legged gal's treasures.

Like Hilton, Olivia gets a little spoiled by her family. Though her upright family doesn't preside over a vast real estate empire, it is in the dog boutique business.

Veronica Smith, of Naperville and Olivia's handler, co-owns and operates an online Frillies Boutique for Dogs at www.frilliesboutiquefordogs.com. She says people are willing to spend a lot of money on accessories for pets.

"Whether it's a collar, leash or outfit, they'll spend those dollars," she says.

Cheryl Lenart, owner of Yuppie Puppie day spa for dogs in Schaumburg agrees.

She offers a luxurious day spa experience for pooches whose owners can afford it. Her canine clients can enjoy blueberry facials, aromatherapy massages featuring essential oils, "pawdicures" that include nail polishing and teeth cleaning with chicken-flavored toothbrushes.

Lenart says it pays to offer pampering for pets because the grooming industry is extremely competitive. But business is growing on a 20 percent basis each year, she says. Other pet-service businesses report an increase in revenue. According to its 2007 fiscal report, PetSmart generated $4.6 billion in net sales in 2007, up from $4.2 billion in 2006.