Whether naughty or nice, pets receiving fewer presents

Dear Santa,

Things have been ruff around here this year.

I no longer get gourmet treats. I have to settle for that stale MilkBone stuff.

I am writing to ask you to please consider bringing me a gift. My human was reading a survey conducted by www.trustedhousesitters.com that said 36 percent of pet owners will be spending less money on their pets for Christmas this year.

What's a dog to do?

I was at the dog park the other day and my bud Van Gogh (even his name is fancy) said he ate the wrapping paper off one of his presents under the tree already. You know what his humans got him? A treadmill.

High-tech gifts are becoming a trend (look it up). Chanel got an air conditioner for her dog house (seriously).

You know what $20 gets me?

A sweater. Remember when clothes used to be only for my humans?

Here's some positive news: That survey said 21 percent of pet owners admitted they put more thought into their pet's gifts than for their two-legged family members. I guess that's not surprising since more than half of those surveyed said they'd rather spend Christmas with their pets than their in-laws.

I'd rather they just buy me something that I really want instead of a cheap gift I am going to destroy in five minutes.

I'm not asking for a fancy treadmill, but I would like a LazyBonezz Bunk Bed. I saw it on sale for $400 the other day.

I promise not to chase you when you come down the chimney.

Love,