Barking Mad for Nintendogs

I've started to see commercials for this "game" and I just don't at all understand the appeal. I like dogs, but this is in no way like actually having a dog, and even if it was, it would be missing the best parts of having one. Why anyone would want to play this thing is beyond me, and the fact that people would actually pay money for it is just crazy to me. I think it shows that people have too much disposable income.