When you are looking for a gift for someone who has everything, and you are stuck, looking at a present for their child, or an item they can enjoy with their child, may be the answer.

For those whose child is of the furry variety, don’t think that it isn’t as strong a connection. A gift for their pet or a present they can enjoy together can be just as wonderful and appreciated just as much as something for their own use.

But before that I have a story to tell you.

When I was so young I wasn’t even in school yet I remember saying to my parents I wanted a cat. How I knew I wanted a cat I have no idea. But I knew I wanted one. I let them know at every opportunity and in every way I could think of!

Being little, our apartment seemed like a mighty big place at the time but really it was a small so you couldn’t hide much and private conversations we hard to have. I remember overhearing my parents talking, when they didn’t think I could hear them, about the idea of getting a cat. There was a great deal of back and forth about the cons such about living in an apartment, possible allergies, etc. It didn’t sound good.

Then everything went silent.

I’d been as persuasive as I could think and hadn’t succeeded so I resigned myself to living a dreary kitty free existence, explained the situation to my dolls who were every bit as disappointed as I was and we resolved jointly to give up on the idea.

On my birthday morning, when I was about 4 or 5, my Mum woke me up and said come to the kitchen. This wasn’t the normal morning routine, so I was ‘not amused’, but it was my Mum so I did what she asked. I sat down at the kitchen table and she asked me to come by her, near the fridge. So I did. I guess I was too tired to understand what she was trying to do, and likely a wee bit cranky with my routine being altered, because she finally said to look at the floor.

There I saw a bowl that said ‘cat dish’

I remember my first reaction was rubbing my eyes. I thought I must be dreaming. Then I looked up at her with wide eyes and said “cat dish”? She then said, “go check your room”. I flew into my room, low and behold there it was… a kitten on my bed. He was so beautiful. All black except four white boots, a dapper white vest and white whiskers.

I cannot even begin to tell you what I felt at that moment. I picked up the kitten and held it close to me. Strangely enough, even at that tender age I even knew I had to be gentle. He looked up at me with his tiny little face and mewed. I looked down into those green eyes and never wanted to let him go.

My Mum asked me what I wanted to call him. I had no idea. So my Mum, Dad and sister went back and forth for a bit on some ideas. I can remember who it was but someone said “well he is too big for a kitten and too small for a cat” and this is how the name Catten was born.

My Uncle Jim wanted to call him Chicago White Socks 🙂

To this day that was the best gift my parents ever gave me. It’s also been a lifelong love of cats that continues to this day.

So once again, never underestimate the power of love that exists between a parent and a child, and a parent and a pet. A gift given to their child or their pet, can be the most appreciated gift you could give them. When it comes to gift giving there are endless possibilities for both relationships, and trust me, you will make them very happy.

The love of a child, and a pet, is special and unique and shared uniquely by them, but also by all the family.

If you are looking for gifts of pets or both the pet and owner can enjoy go here.