So we all spoil our pets. There is a reason why stores like PetsMart have taken off in the past few years. I read somewhere that pet expenses totaled more than 1 billion dollars this past fiscal year. That is a lot of money that people spend just on their furry children.

When I was growing up, my dad taught me how to care for the various animals I had growing up, much to my mother’s dismay. My mother thinks animals are cute, thinks they shouldn’t be hurt, etc. But they shouldn’t be in the house, they shouldn’t be rodents and she will not touch them. I think maybe she touched Wally a couple of times, because she claimed Wally was the only “civilized one” out of the plethora of animals that have been in my care.

Then again, Wally was probably the most traveled and worldly bunny to ever live, so maybe she was onto something.

So my father taught me how to care for the animals, which included water, food, toys, shelter, etc. But nowadays, it seems that pet parents everywhere have stepped up their game and Lord knows, my boyfriend and I are part of them.

But it’s funny to think about how animals feel about all these new fangled care and entertainment venues. On one hand, my furry little misfits can demonstrate a peculiar attachment for their toys.

Willow, like all cats, is pretty much ambivalent to all toys, but once in a while, she does row peculiarly attached to one. Pictured above is WIllow protecting Moe. Moe was a mouse on a string that she could play with for hours…until Tiberious decided that it was time for Moe to get it.

She valiantly fought for him, but in the end, Moe slept with the fishies.

Thor has a special stuffed frog named Carlos that he has had since he was a tiny little furball:

I can tell you that Carlos is the one toy he hides from Destructo Dane. Carlos usually has the place of honor in his crate or somewhere that Darla can’t get him.

On the other hand, as much as they love their man made ones, it’s the unexpected items they DECIDE are toys that make me wonder why I bother…the following are some random household items my furry beasts have decided are better than regular store bought toys:

1. Empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls: Both Wally and Thor appreciate this item, which to me is an annoying piece of trash…

2. Hair ties: Tiberious has a ball playing fetch and hoarding these lovely things. Unfortunately, it means mommy has to a- hunt them down or b- hide them. He has been known to rip them from my wrist while I’m sleeping.

3. Napkins: Darla loves nothing more than tearing up napkins into tiny itsy bitsy shreds that mommy just LOVES to pick up…

4. Socks: ’nuff said.

To Be Continued….