Here are some ways pet lovers spend the holidays with their pets. We hope you enjoy reading them and get some ideas for your own holiday traditions.
This year my two cats and I decided to start a new holiday tradition in that instead of buying them a repeat of what they already have so much of and continue to enjoy, I’ve decided to make a donation to my favorite local shelter along with a few goodies for the animals that have so much less than mine do. My cats both agreed this would be a purr`fect tradition! They’ve both been rescued and know first hand what being without food and a warm, safe loving home is like. A little bit makes such an impact to the ones that have so much less and by doing so, I know our hearts will be uniquely filled this holiday season~ Blessings to all, Bambi, Buddy & Torijean from upstate NY.
I have 6 cats and every year when we hang our stockings for our boys we hang kitty stocking, in the stockings they get a can of soft cat food like sheba and some jingle balls. Also since we consider the kitties a part of the family they get presents under the tree and they also give presents to everyone. I know some people consider this corny but out cats actually sit with us when we are unwrapping the presents. Mainly because of the jingle balls. Amelia loomis
Every year we buy the most expensive can of cat food in a flavor that we hope she will enjoy. Then we all open our “gifts” at the same time. It is just my husband and me and we just put our “stuff” in a big Christmas bag. That way we don’t have a lot of gift-wrapping to get rid of. Doris Tonseth
I put up a real tree especially for the cats. I found that Douglas Fir seems to work the best because the branches are strong enough to support their weight, yet flexible so that the cats can use the lower large branches as sort of a slide. I keep the decorations simple-usually red plastic balls and snowflakes that are folded and cut from recycled printer paper (like we made when we were kids). I’ve also done things like tie Christmas cards on the branches with ribbon, etc. I don’t use any lights. The cats tear up the snowflakes, but it’s so easy to make more that who cares. My blind cat Jacob is usually the one who climbs to the very top before any of the others.
The tradition got started for me back in 2000 because of a cat, Zoobie, who was a 9 yr old cat I met at a local no-kill shelter. He’d been there since he was a kitten and was feral despite everyone’s best efforts. When he was 8 yrs old, he started pacing in circles. Veterinary specialists discovered that Zoobie had a huge brain tumor. In May, the tumor was removed by Dr Lisa Klopp. In June, Zoobie came to recover with me. He got stronger each day and soon could chase that pesky Cat Dancer all over his room. In August, when he had recovered and was out of danger, I formally adopted him. He was still feral though and kept his distance. In December, I kept getting a feeling that Zoobie needed a real Christmas tree. I tried pushing the idea from my mind, but it wouldn’t go away. Finally, I gave in. I bought a beautiful 8 ft. Douglas fir tree, brought it in the house, put it in the stand, then decorated it with red plastic balls and paper snowflakes. Zoobie absolutely loved it! He made it clear that he wanted me to play with him by chasing him back and forth around the tree. If I stopped to catch my breath, he would stop, too and wait for me. When I tired out, I plopped down in a nearby chair. Zoobie sauntered right over, brushed against my ankles, and then hopped up in my lap, purring. He never acted feral again. His trust and friendship were the best Christmas presents I’ve ever had. I lost Zoobie in January 2007 to lung cancer-he was 16 yrs old. As I put up my Christmas tree each year, I fondly remember that special Christmas and know that Zoobie is watching and waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Kindest regards, Linda Moore
