Griffon, a Brussels Griffon, models a bandanna made by owner Rhonda Burgess of Bowwow Wow Pet Gifts. Burgess will be among 81 vendors at the Spring Arts & Crafts Festival, which is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

Sometimes, Griffon – a male Brussels Griffon dog – has to try on dresses.

He prefers scarves and bandannas. But it’s all in the name of art, fashion and commerce.

Griffon belongs to Rhonda Burgess, a Lawrence resident who has operated Bowwow Wow Pet Gifts for the past year and a half.

The company, which features a variety of pet-related products, will be one of the 81 vendors at the 2008 Spring Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend.

The event, sponsored by Lawrence Parks & Recreation, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday at Building 21 of the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St.

Burgess started her company when she moved to Lawrence, didn’t have a full-time job and was looking for a project to work on with her sister.

“We noticed people were always out with their dogs – big dogs, little dogs – and we thought, ‘Why don’t we do something with dogs?'” Burgess says. “People love their dogs here in Lawrence.”

So they started constructing handmade, one-of-a-kind doggie garments, including scarves, coats and bandannas – KU bandannas are among the most popular. They also make beds and mats as well as pouches for holding plastic bags for cleaning up after your dog during walks.

(The inventory can be seen at www.bowwowow.net.)

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association says spending on pets has increased 87 percent over the past decade, to around $43 billion this year.

“That’s what we’ve found is so surprising – maybe people are empty-nesters, or they don’t have their own kids yet, but their pets are their babies,” Burgess says.