A white and brown Siberian husky did not have to wait for three to four weeks to get its paws on the modern day's most ambitious smartwatch. As if one is not amusing enough, the canine with a taste for luxury got two of its supposed four-piece Apple Watch purchase. While there is no telling how the dog can manage two watches at the same time, one thing is certain - it is a seriously pampered pooch. Its human is a real estate development heir in China, Bloomberg reported.

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In recent years, pet care has transcended the basic necessities such as feeding bowl, leash, collar, and perhaps a chew toy. More and more Chinese are treating pets like family, even splurging on products and services that the dogs themselves will not demand for. Gone are the days of leftover rice and meat because more owners are making the conscious switch to imported and branded dog food. For most, taking care of a pet is akin to taking care of one's own child because settling for less is not an option.

Market intelligence firm Euromonitor projects a boom in the pet care industry by more than half, amounting to 15.8 billion yuan ($2.6 billion) in 2019, according to Reuters. The data continues to show that in dog food alone, sales are expected to shoot past $760 million in the same year. With increased spending power and a growing market gap to fill, China is increasingly becoming a gold mine for many industry players.

Aside from increased income level, Reuters cited that stress and loneliness of the urban life contribute to the mark up in pet ownership. People turn to their pets for comfort after a difficult day at work. In turn, they are more than willing to spend a huge chunk of their income for some luxurious pet pampering. In 2014, the Journal of Commerce reported that a legislation on the decrease of dog licensing fees (from $285 a year to a mere $42) also launched the popularity of owning a pet. 

The rising demand for pet products and services is being met with innovations patterned after human lifestyle. In an interview with Reuters, a Beijing photographer offers photo shoot packages that include pet costumes and styling with prices from 388 yuan ($63) to 8,888 yuan ($1,430). What's more, dogs can now ride in style with their own chauffeur services using a Maserati or a Ferrari. In a 2014 article, the International Business Times featured a matchmaking for pets, where cats or dogs can find their partners in life and seal the union with a marriage certificate signed with paw print, of course.