Happy 20th birthday to a cat about town

Happy birthday, Missy!

Missy Bechtel turned 20 years young on July 1. That's surely something to celebrate if you're a cat. The average life expectancy for feline companions has doubled since 1930 from just eight to 16 years, thanks to advances in nutrition, medicine and the increased value and care we give our pets.

Missy has been a loving companion to Donna and Dave Bechtel of Brandon since the day she was adopted from an animal shelter. She loves to travel, sleep and eat chicken cooked up special for her by Donna.

In honor of Missy's milestone birthday, my cat, Tank, and I have chosen some cool cat gifts for the deserving feline in your family costing from a budget-conscious $3.50 to a splurgy $99.

A collar for all occasions

Purr-fect for a birthday celebration, this Bells and Bows patent leather collar by Kakadu Pet of Australia is available in yellow, red, pink and lime green. (It's adjustable and also fits small-breed dogs.) It's 3/8-inch by 12 inches and the hardware is nickel-plated and polished, and it comes with a D-ring for fastening identification tags, license or a leash and an elastic insert for safety.

The Kakadu Pet Bells and Bows collar is available at www.petshed.com for just $3.50 plus shipping.

Cat Clouds cat shelf

These space-saving kitty perches put your cat on the pedestal they deserve, and you get the joy of seeing them appearing to float on clouds along your wall space. Strong metal platforms are covered with pads and faux sheepskin fabric.

Cat Clouds come with two large platforms, 20 inches by 10 inches, supporting up to 70 pounds. They're available at Petco stores or online at www.petco.com or www.the refinedfeline.com. The cost is about $99.99.

Fling-Ama-String

Fling-Ama-String is a battery-operated string-flinging machine that hangs on any standard doorknob. One side of a long silky string is sewn to a flat elastic conveyer-type belt, which is constantly rotating. The string flings in and out for kitty's non-stop amusement.

The toy has received several awards from the pet industry. It's available at www.moodypet .com for $33; free shipping.