Show Us Your Cat's Holiday Present

NEWPORT, RI — Asia, the immortal tabby cat, had never seemed fussy until one Christmas morning when his owner presented him with a yellow, pink and green cat cozy. It cost $30.

Yes, that was pricey back in 2003. (Her editor at the time mentioned there would have been "blood on the floor" in his house if anyone had spent $30 for a cat's Christmas present.)

No matter, the expense was double the price of all the presents his sister, The Gabby Dog, received. Or that the material was soft and silky. It was soft; it was beautiful. And he hissed at it.

While Gabby fussed with delight over her $2.99 plush toy, he was so miffed he went to his spot on the kitchen island and played with his toy from Christmas the year before.

He sent a clear message, as he picked it up listlessly and dropped it.

"I didn't get anything good for Christmas this year, so I will play with my present from a year ago."

It was kind of heart-wrenching. Asia was a first cat, so this owner didn't understand why he wasn't happy with his gift.

The obvious solution was to go back to the pet store the day after Christmas and purchase another gift, but one similar to something he had enjoyed. Asia like tracker ball games. So, he received a new tracker ball game. And the make-up present did the trick.

It's not so stupid. After all, if someone liked a Jaguar, he might also enjoy a Mercedes the next year.

But difficulties with cat gifting are not uncommon, casual interviews at pet stores reveal. Some cats, bold about all kinds of things, may be afraid of cat fountains or other gifts that make a noise.

Charlie, the black cat, had a climbing tree, and he tried it once but seemed a little scared of it. He preferred to play with one of Asia's old toy mice. Twila, the tabby, pretends she doesn't play with toys, but her owner will find them in her bed and in the closet.

So what kinds of presents have been hits with your pets?

Send us some pictures on the Facebook page, and we'll hit the Like button hard.

P.S. Santa hasn't come at press time, so the cats are not in this picture, but it would be great to show the kitties with the toys.