Americans are spending $25 million per year on pet medication for memory loss and cognition disorders, and unspecified millions per year to treat depression in their pets with Prozac, plus $25 million per year for their pets to relieve separation anxiety.

Dear Diary,

Mom and Aunty Susan didn’t let us have any fun before Christmas. They went into a room to wrap packages and shut the door. No matter how many times I threw myself against the door, or rattled the door knob, they wouldn’t let me in. How insulting is that? I did get to help trim my Lemon Tree with ornaments. This year we used natural ornaments and no lights. I liked it. I think that the Lemon Tree did, too.

I did make one mistake. I fell asleep as Mom was unpacking the wreaths and ended up wearing the dog’s Christmas bell collar. How embarrassing!

We had rain and then snow and then rain and then cold-cold-cold temperatures and then more rain and snow. I enjoyed watching it from my warm perch by the window, but Mom and Aunty Susan complained a lot.

Diary,

Do you remember me talking about Holly, The Evil One? This cat is a menace... She is a terror to one and all. I figured out why Aunty Susan keeps her. I saw Holly jump on Aunty Susan’s lap, snuggle down in her arms, and look adoringly up at Aunty Susan. I wanted to scream: “No! Don’t fall for that! She’s Evil!”, but I was frozen in place. I was mesmerized by this picture of sweetness and contentment. I knew that Holly had changed and we could become friends.

After she jumped down, I walked over and gave her a friendly sniff. Holly hissed, screamed, swatted me on the nose, and chased me to the top of the entertainment center. So much for “good will to all” cats. Holly is nasty. I run because she chases me. I’m not really afraid. I’m not. I do take issue in the fact that the only way that I can get down is to crawl over the top of the TV. It’s a tight squeeze.

One of my dreams is to learn how to open the front door and let Holly out and then shut the door very fast. I don’t think that Holly would leave, but I could try.

Hey Diary,

Here it is 2009 and as I get older, I’ve learned to see that my time is valuable. I’ve been reflecting on my life and what I want for the future. I’ve made a list of things that I want to do this year. I call it my

“Things To Do Before I Get Too Old To Do Them List”:

1. Spend more time in my special place, close to the heating vent. My older bones need that extra warmth.
2. Play more with my toys. I still won’t put them back in the basket. That’s what Mom’s for.
3. Become a more avid Bird Watcher. Some days, I don’t even look out the window.
4. Spend more time on Mom’s lap, even if I have to bop someone on the head to get them to move out of the way.

5. Growl and assert myself at mealtime. I’m such a softy that I’ve been known to walk away if someone gets pushy. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
6. Taking longer naps. After all, I do need my rest.

What did you expect, Diary, that I would ask for World Peace? You have to realize that I am, after all, a cat and I will soon be 4 years old.

I hope that everyone’s 2009 will bring fun, happiness, lots of good food, and great places to nap.