Knowing how much folks can love their pets... this isn't all that surprising.

According to a new survey by the American Pet Products Association, 16% of dog owners, or one in six, say that if they could only afford to pay for either their pet's medical treatment, or their own... they'd go for the dog.

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13% of cat owners, or just over one in eight, say the same thing.

The survey also found that the recession hasn't stopped people from spending money on their pets.  In fact, spending on dogs and cats is WAY UP

Spending on pets went up 6.2% in 2010... from $45.5 BILLION in 2009 to over $48 BILLION last year.  And a 5.1% increase is projected for this year.

One of the fastest-growing segments in this lousy economy has been... DOG GIFTS.  In 2010, people spent 30% more on presents for their dogs than in 2009... $73 MILLION in 2010 versus $56 MILLION in 2009.

About 73 million households in the U.S. have at least one pet.  That means about two-thirds of American families have a pet.  And about 75% of those pets are dogs and cats.

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