Can anyone explain the current "Cult of the dog"?

I think some of it started when they started showing all celebrates and their pampered pooches on the * tube*! You know, it's called *follow the leader*! I don't recall anyone that I knew dressing their little beasts 40+ years ago. Now days, dogs have a canopy bed and their mommies tuck them in every night with a hug and a smooch! Gee, even I as an only child never had a canopy bed. Wa wa wa, stomp stomp stomp.....so my dogs ain't gettin one either! As for de-programming....maybe if these people ask their Grandmas and Great Grandmas how dogs were treated, MAYBE they would listen and just let their dogs be DOGS!