LEWISTON – Robert Hipp has big plans for Kodi’s first Christmas: stocking stuffers, new toys, tasty treats.
It would be enough to send any youngster into a paper-ripping, box-opening frenzy. Kodi will at least wag his tail and bark.
“We usually buy more for our pets than anyone else (on our list),” Hipp said as the red puppy licked his nose.
Hipp, a certified nurse’s aide who owns two Pomeranians and two cats, expects to spend about $150 on his pets this holiday season.
Some people balk at the notion of gifts for animals. After all, pets probably don’t even know it’s a holiday. But their humans do, and that’s all that matters.
“We let them have at it Christmas Day,” Hipp said. “They’re our children.”
Shoppers begin flooding area pet stores the day after Thanksgiving – the same day they start shopping for family and friends. Pet stores play to the trend, decorating with garlands and giant candy canes, setting up displays of Hanukkah toys and Christmas stockings filled with fake, furry mice.
Online, Portland-based Planet Dog offers the Holiday Wag Bag, complete with mint-scented toys and a personalized gift tag.
Three years ago, the average Planet Dog shopper spent $30 to $35 per order. This year, it’s more than $50.
“It’s similar to a 1- or 2-year-old child who doesn’t know Christmas is going on,” said Planet Dog Marketing Director Catherine Frost. “We celebrate with our family, and pets are part of our family.”
That’s why Rose Marcoux of Minot and her 16-year-old daughter, Brianna, plan to spend about $150 this holiday season on their dogs, Lilly and Molly, and their cat, Itty-Bitty.
The mother and daughter had already bought Christmas stockings, which they plan to decorate with sparkles and personalize with the pets’ names. They will fill each one with balls and Frisbees, teething toys for the puppy and treats for the cat.
“It’s just the fun and excitement of watching them on Christmas, just like a little kid,” Marcoux said.
Cats and dogs won’t be the only pets ripping into presents this holiday season.
Totally excited’
In Auburn, the Family Pet Center sells plants to shoppers who want to brighten their iguana’s Christmas. Clerks at The Kennel Shop in Lewiston and at Pet Quarters in Auburn routinely see people eager to celebrate the season with their hamsters.
“New wheels, new balls, new treats, new something,” said Pet Quarters Assistant Manager Jen Lewis.
For some pet owners, a present isn’t enough. It has to be a surprise.
At Pet Quarters, many regular customers bring in their pets when they look for toys, beds or treats during the year. For the holidays, they shop alone.
Hipp knows the feeling. He hopes to keep his presents a surprise until dogs Kodi and Miss Muffet and cats Manix and Sweetie open them Christmas morning.
“They get totally excited,” he said.
Hipp doesn’t know what he’d do without the love and companionship of his animals. He’d do anything for them, he said, and a few Christmas presents are an easy way to show how much he cares.
But he does try to keep the gift-giving in perspective.
Hipp will spend $150 on his pets this year. He’ll spend about $300 on his girlfriend.
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