Pupperware Parties

Americans have proven how much they love their pets by how much they spend on them. It is estimated that we will shell out $36 billion this year on our four-legged family members.

The Early Show resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner, reports on a new way to fawn over Fido.

We've all heard of home parties that sell everything from makeup to candles to jewelry. Now, there's a party for your pooch and your kitty. Turner found two companies that host such gatherings with catchy names like Pet Pawties and, of course, Pupperware Parties.

This home party has a very familiar feel to it, as people arrive with their dogs.

There's the sales lady, positioned behind a table full of products that she says you just must have. And, of course, there's the tantalizing descriptions.

"Stud Spritz. This is definitely for the boy dog," says pet consultant Nina Harvey, laughing.

Welcome to a Pupperware party, a pooch version of that old direct marketing tool that's been around for decades.

And just like the predecessor, the tupperware party, this shop-at-home shindig wants the guest to relax, have fun, and buy, buy, buy.

Harvey says, "People are really crazy about their pets. I think that people care about their pets like they care about their children."

Harvey believes one of the big draws to her parties is the fact that pooches are invited, too!A guest named Rita says, "I like the atmosphere of being able to bring your dog to the party. I think that's really fun to be able to mingle with everybody else's dog and get to know them."

And there's something you can do at these parties that you can't do at a pet store.

Harvey says, "You can't go and you can't sit in the middle of the aisle and try out their product. They're wrapped and they're sealed. You go home, and you try it out, and you don't like it, then you've purchased it."

Asked what's the difference between her products and stuff that people can find at the pet store, Harvey says, "Ours are all vet approved. They are all money-back guaranteed, if you're not happy, you can return the items no questions asked."

But Shure Pets isn't the only game in town when it comes to pet home parties.

Making her presentation Tara says, "What I am going to talk to you tonight about are products that are geared towards dogs, cats and birds."

Petlane hosts what they call Pet Pawties, where many of their toys are geared to educate as well as entertain.

Company president Lane Nemeth says, "I had a theory that dogs needs a lot of stimulation, just like young children. They get bored very easily. And that they're really brighter than the average person gives them credit for."

Nemeth designs dog toys that can only be found at her parties.

Noting that a lot of these toys are designed as much to please the person as they are for the pet, Lane tells Turner, "You're not selling to the dog. He or she can't buy."

Dogs don't buy them, but do they like them? Turner put some of Nemeth's most popular items to the test with canine experts Megan, Daisy, and Obbie.

First up, the Sensory Star: Each point has a different feel to it. Megan, the Labrador retriever, couldn't wait to get at it. Two paws up. But Obbie was not nearly as excited about the Thing-a-Majig.

Apparently, the grass was more interesting. Daisy, on the other hand, couldn't have been happier with the marrow-filled bone. And, really, that's the point. We love our animals and are willing to do just about anything to make them happy, including going to a Pupperware party.