The gift of giving is overrated, except when it comes to cats and dogs. If you told us that adorable cats and dogs would actually bite, paw and claw their way into any wrapped gifts we gave them, we would wrap up meat and catnip until the cows came home. We'd quit our jobs, sell our houses, give up all our worldly possessions -- that's how much we love it when they open their gifts.

Did Santa bring someone a toy duck?

Merry Christmas, Taffy. We got you some cat drugs.

You can tell your dog really likes her present when she tries to kill it.

Sophie is really in the Christmas spirit.

Ramsey is an unwrapping machine.

Tubby is fiending for his Christmas present.

What is it? What is it? Since your dog's not going to tell you, I will. It's dog food.

As Gus can no doubt attest, the nicer the gift, the less the dog cares.

• photo:// Randy Son Of Robert