HERE'S JUST THE THING FOR THAT FRUSTRATED FIDO, TROUBLED TABBY.Byline: Linda Shrieves Orlando Sentinel The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently in its 131st year of publication. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. The greeting-card industry is going to the dogs. And the cats. Check out Hallmark's latest line of cards: Pet Love - 117 cards aimed at dog- and cat-lovers. There are thank-you cards for the vet, get-well cards for the cat or dog (``Sorry to hear you got fixed''), and cards for new pet owners (``Congratulations on your new puppy''). There are birthday cards (``Happy Birthday from me and my cat''), sympathy cards for the loss of a pet and even thank-you notes for pet-sitters. If this sounds a little over the top, consider this: There are 220 million pets in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . And that means millions of adoring owners who will plunk down Verb 1. plunk down - set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise; "He planked the money on the table"; "He planked himself into the sofa" plonk, flump, plank, plump, plump down, plunk, plop $1.50 to $1.65 for a pet card. ``Pets are becoming more important in our lives,'' said Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, a pet behaviorist Behaviorist 1. One who accepts or assumes the theory of behaviorism (behavioral finance in investing.) 2. A psychologist who subscribes to behaviorism. Notes: When it comes to investing, people may not be as rational as they think. who worked as Hallmark's consultant on the new card line. ``Because many people have delayed having children, they have gotten pets in the interim. We still have that nurturing need.'' Indeed we do. People throw birthday parties for their pets, buy Christmas presents and birthday gifts for them. They even tell their friends all about their pets' travels and travails. ``Pets are important parts of the family,'' Hunthausen said. As America has become more urban, pets have moved indoors. Dogs that were considered guard dogs now sleep in the bedroom; cats that used to keep mice out of the barn are now curled up on the couch On the Couch is an Australian television program formally broadcast on the Fox Footy Channel and it focuses on the current issues in the AFL. This is now broadcast on Fox Sports after the closure of Fox Footy Channel. The show airs on Monday night and is hosted by Gerard Healy. . And our national pet obsession shows no signs of abating. Hallmark is planning another line of cat and dog cards for 1997. ``People like them,'' said Hallmark spokeswoman Rachel Bolton. ``I think for people who take their pets seriously, these cards are perfect. At first blush Adv. 1. at first blush - as a first impression; "at first blush the offer seemed attractive" when first seen , it sounds weird. But when you think about people who baby their pets, it makes total sense.'' Gee, we can hardly wait for the snake line. |
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