YOUR PLACE GO AHEAD, BUY SOMETHING FOR YOUR PET.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

The dog days of summer are a tail-wag away, and pets are as excited as children about summer vacation and all the accouterments of the season.

``The trends for pet clothes and toys are modeled after what's successful in the human realm, so Americana and Hawaiian are the themes that are hot this summer,'' says Jennifer Pflugfelder, spokeswoman for PETsMART stores.

While PETsMART is pitching its tropical collection, it's also offering the same beauty services women want: manicures and nail polish. Pflugfelder says red and pink nail polish (with different ingredients than the human variety) are part of their dog-grooming services.

At PetCo it's Americana headquarters with little triangle scarves, leashes, collars, plush toys, rubber balls and even kitty toys in red, white and blue. Also new is a bakery bar (looks like a supermarket salad bar) where pet parents can purchase sugar-free pretzels, sandwich cookies and even animal cookies at $3.99 a pound.

Smaller pet stores carry more upscale items, but you'll find chrome water dishes sparkling with little golden crowns at HomeGoods stores, and at Target stores there's aisle after aisle of summer fun for Fido and Fluffy.

Target's Boots & Barkley collection includes Hawaiian print shirts with fake flower leis attached to the collar for $4.99, as well as pineapple- shaped rubber squeak toys and tropical bugs that light up and make sounds to (hopefully) delight your cat.

In the store's new ``I Scream for Summer'' department, there's final proof that pets are family - alongside the ice cream bar-themed table cloths, barbecue tools, beach towels and party lights are dog toys that look like a real lime 50-50 ice cream bar.

TRAVEL TIPS WITH TIGGER AND TOTO: Dogs usually like car trips, while cats don't, so consider keeping them in their little carrier with some shredded newspaper, which will pack down and prevent kitty from sliding around - and also help if she get gets sick or can't wait for the next bathroom break.

Also bring favorite foods and toys and maybe an old T-shirt with a familiar family member's scent to soothe them. And be sure to bring a leash for the dog to take on walks when you finally get to the rest stop. Check pet stores and you'll find a variety of traveling goods, such as collapsible bowls whose contents won't spill. And if your pet is really nervous, check with the veterinarian about mild tranquilizers.

And, finally, make sure you've called ahead and know that the hotel or family you're visiting accepts pets. There are publications in most bookstores that have a complete directory of pet-friendly establishments.

BIG BIRD NEWS: National Geographic has recognized our passion for feeding wild birds and has introduced its own line of feeders and food that will be sold exclusively at Lowe's stores. As a bonus, each feeder also includes helpful information on how to attract and care for birds, and each bag of food tells you which birds will be attracted to it.

Another good source of information can be found at Wild Birds Unlimited, 22110 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. For the dates of future programs and events, call Jennie Ayers at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (a dog playing with squeak toys)

(2) no caption (dog treats)

(3) no caption (National Geographic's new handblown art glass hummingbird feeders)