The pink stroller in our shop window gets lots of attention. Customers ask, "Is that for a dog?" The clever design of this stroller provides a removable carrier portion that functions as a portable crate, which can be secured to the stroller framework for mobile transport. Just like its baby stroller counterparts, this model is only one of several styles, up to and including a super all-terrain number with jumbo wheels and all the goodies. More commonplace in the urban setting, strollers are still a bit of a novelty on Nantucket, and after the oohs, aahs and giggles abate, the next question is invariably, "This is adorable! Why would I want to buy one of these?" The obvious answer is because anyone with a smaller dog with mobility or health issues can take along their pet without being carried.

One of our first stroller purchasers was a woman who travels frequently with her small terrier. She was thrilled to discover a convenient way to move through the airport and security with her pet, manage her luggage, purse, briefcase, plus the dog's stuff, all with one piece of gear, then hand it over at the aircraft door for stowing along with all the other two-legged baby strollers.

Someone else who would love this is one who is active, who likes to take walks or runs but who cannot participate with their small pet. With a stroller, the pet gets an outing and the owner gets even more exercise.

Strollers are just one cross-over item making inroads from the infant market into the pet supply niche. Stroller distributor Pet Gear also offers puppy port-a-pens. An alternative to the exercise pen, connecting metal grid panels with no floor, or even to the crate, the playpen is the same as those used for human babies. The lightweight tubular frame is covered with a tough nylon fabric on the sides, with raised floor and open top, and the whole thing folds up efficiently for moving about the house or for storage.

Small, personal pets have enjoyed a phenomenal increase in popularity, and most are treated like babies, so it's not much of a stretch to find a product adapted from the popular infant Snugli, essential to any new mother's basic equipment. The Pawpoose is available in several fabrics. The familiar soft sling is worn over the shoulder with the pooch, secured by a clip, riding

While at first blush the infant-pet connection seems odd, on closer inspection, the link seems more obvious. After all, pets now occupy an esteemed place in most households. People lavish the attention and indulgence on their pets once reserved exclusively for children; pets provide nurturing opportunities and parenting experience. The popularity of the personal pet, small and spoiled, is a definite trend with single owners and with those wanting to maintain personal flexibility while still enjoying the benefits of animal companionship.

Perhaps seeming revolutionary because of startling new products, there are some items from the crossover market that have been around for years. Baby gates, for instance, used to block doorways and keep adventurous pets confined in the house are old standbys. Tearless shampoo products for puppies and kittens have become essential to the grooming experience. Somewhat newer, pet wipes are available for ears and general cleansing. And there are multi-use doggie diapers.

Many of the new items and toys focus on dogs, but cat owners needn't feel ignored. Inspired by the Diaper Genie idea, a devise to seal up used diapers into little plastic pouches, cat waste can be similarly disposed of with the Litter Locker.

Typically, manufacturers that offer both baby and pet products market them through separate companies. The parent company for Pet Gear, Inc., the stroller/play pen company, is Vermont Juvenile Furniture, makers of children's furniture. Bamboo, started in 2004, often uses the same products as its mentoring company, Munchkin, a major player in the baby market for 16 years. Their sun block shades for car windows and teething blankets are marketed in both the human and pet industry.

It is also not unusual for a pet product line to have been spawned from the baby industry. The two originators of Petstages, a four-year old pet toy manufacturer, both came from a background in developmental kid products.

Comparing the importance of pets and kids isn't really what matters. What matters is that people are caring for a beloved family member, whether a child, a pet, or both. People shape the market by purchases for those they care about. Manufacturers see where the dollars are going and follow that market, and if it works, everybody

wins. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop and is a member of Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America (DWAA and CWA).. Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower Bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com.