(NAPSI)-Pet owners aren’t like other people. For many, the love they have for their four-legged friend is demonstrated by their care for his or her well-being. This is a very personal practice that some take to more of an extreme than others.

Dogs are more than just man’s best friend; most dog lovers say choosing the right dog is a lot like finding Mr. or Mrs. Right. In fact, 82 percent of dog owners claim it was love at first sight when they laid eyes on their pooch. Moreover, nearly 60 percent admit they are as picky when selecting a dog as they are when searching for their perfect mate, with personality, physical attributes and pedigree taking top honors as the crucial criteria against which to measure their match.

Pushing their love to the limit, if trapped on a desert island, nearly 60 percent of those surveyed would want to have their dog there too, far outranking significant others, parents, siblings and friends as companions of choice — a good thing, since 55 percent of owners think their pet exhibits jealousy if they direct their attention to someone else.

Move over dear, the dog needs more space. According to those surveyed, dogs are often the proverbial kings and queens of their castles, sharing many everyday experiences right by their owners’ sides. In fact, 54 percent of those surveyed let their dogs sleep with them in their beds and 24 percent of dog owners said they even allow their dogs to eat off of their plates.

One thing that’s increasingly apparent: Dogs are part of the family. Seventy percent of owners refer to themselves as their dog’s “mommy” or “daddy,” while more than 40 percent admit to having considered caring for their dog a dry run for caring for a child. In addition, more than half of dog owners (62 percent) clearly feel it is socially acceptable to feature their dog in family photos or holiday cards.

Social circles are as important to dogs as they are for people. Forty-five percent of dog owners claim their pooch has a regular group of playmates, while 52 percent of those coordinate play dates at least once a week. And if the sky was the limit for dog owners, Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Brad Pitt top the list for dog-loving celebrities, who, along with their dogs, they’d love to meet for an afternoon play date.

Nowadays, celebrities often are seen gracing the pages of magazines with their dogs in tow. From pocket-size pooches to two at a time, stars are a high-profile example of the joys of dog ownership. So does all that star power influence the way everyday dog owners treat their pets? More than 50 percent say no way — at least not when it comes to dictating choice of breed — and a whopping 85 percent claim the way celebrities care for their canines has absolutely no impact on the way they treat their own.

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