How much do people love their pets?

Well, clearly a lot. Enough that they buy them designer clothing and luxurious dog beds, in addition to the basics. (The APPMA estimates that we'll spend $38 billion on pets this year.) Enough that they rearrange their lives to accommodate pets' needs, getting out to give that walk or making time to tease with a feather toy. And pet owners rearrange their finances, of course, to pay for veterinary care—and food and toys and daycare and carriers.

We also find ways to pay tribute to our pets, and let the rest of you know how important they are. "I ♥ MY SCHNAUZER" bumper stickers, photos on desks and screen savers and Web sites, ties and jewelry, for instance. I know you see these many tokens of affection, too.

Of course, we all express our love for our pets in different ways. And we accommodate them at different levels. Some people enforce what I call "big dog" rules: No getting on the bed or sofa. No snacks from the table. Other people have big dogs that enjoy a lap dog life. Bed and sofa access is a given. Plus snow booties and doggles.

I adore my dogs and think they're the best in the world, of course. And I work with lots of enthusiastic pet owners. So I think I know how this whole bond thing works. Still I find my affection for my pups sneaks out in places that I don't expect.

For example, I painted the dogs' portraits. This one of Dinah (you say that dee-na, by the way) is a pretty good likeness. My husband says the only way to make it better would be to to indicate somehow that she's shaking with excitement. All the time. She's a little too smart for her own good, so she experiences threats and opportunities with a lot of intensity.

Now, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I did this. I generally don't share my artistic endeavors. And this is a little too "wearing my heart on my sleeve" to make me comfortable. So I hid the painting in a no-visitors room of my house where I see it often.

I'm making this confession to show the range of clients you work with. It goes from bumper-stickered, pin-wearing, Mrs. Tell-you-all, to me. (I'd be Mrs. Holding-back, wonder-what-she's-thinking, for future reference.)

We're probably equally bonded to our pets. But we have very different communication styles. We likely interact differently with your team. And we may respond differently to the information you give us. But we both need a complete recommendation for all the care our fuzzies need. And we both love our pets—a way lot.