Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for Dec. 22, 2003

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 8:24 a.m.

On the prowl

Here's one to ponder: If a Christmas tree falls in the living room, do pets hear it? More than likely, they're to blame for such yuletide disasters.

But you can't really fault the little critters. Similar to some humans who can't resist the temptation of a pre-holiday riffling through the loot under the tannenbaum, pooches and pussycats just want what's theirs - and, from the looks of the pet-friendly gifts on the market, this year's haul could be good.

Pet Supplies "Plus" the nation's third-largest pet-product retailer (with stores on the East Coast and in the Midwest - none in Nevada), conducted an online survey of nearly 1,300 people and found that 36 percent of pet owners are guilt ridden if they fail to purchase not just a holiday gift, but "enough gifts for Fido and Fluffy. Wait, it gets weirder: Some 12 percent of those polled admitted to having returned gifts to stores after a four-legged friend turned up his or her wet, little nose at them.

Is it any wonder why the old standbys of a rubber ball or catnip-stuffed mouse quit making the grade, when such toys as the Crazy Dog Catch-A-Bubble are available. As the name suggests, this bone-shaped bottle of bubble liquid allows pet owners to blow peanut butter-scented soap bubbles that actually harden in the air, thus allowing dogs more time to chase them. It costs $4.99 and is available at www.crazydog.com.

Home sweet home?

The people at PETCO (which does have stores in Las Vegas), on the other hand, are keeping folks' finned friends in mind, hawking products promoting the hippest sea dweller since Charlie the Tuna. The SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Aquarium Aqua Kit ($29.99) is round rather than rectangular in shape, so your fish will know "you care when they're ringing in the new year - get it, ring?

Hamsters are also on the brain this holiday season at PETCO. Take the furry little guys (and gals) where no hamsters have gone before. The Habitrail Space Station ($21.99) isn't a typical hamster cage: It features docking ports to which passageways and other sci-fi accessories can be added.

High-priced holiday

Banking on the fact that some people treat their pets to only the best, several high-end retailers are offering items sure to please the most well-heeled mutts - provided owners are willing to unleash their pocketbooks.

From Taubman Centers Inc., which owns and/or manages 31 malls around the country, though none in Las Vegas, comes a sampling of snooty gifts being peddled by tenants in its shopping centers (though some of the retailers also have stores in Las Vegas):