So I had the radio on a couple days ago, and the DJ was asking about over the top Christmas presents. A guy called in and said his brother spent $300 on a Harley Davidson leather jacket and a $100 pair of Oakley sunglasses - for his dog. This seemed excessive for about six hours, when I heard about the Dallas woman who spent $50,000 to clone her cat.

I can't say I'm in favor of this. I know it's her money to spend, but with all the other animals out there who need help, I'd rather have the opportunity to bring a new pet into my house.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I wouldn't spend five cents to clone a cat. I'm a dog person. Even so, I don't think I'd have cloned any of our past dogs for the above reason.)

Having grown up seeing the chocolate Monopoly sets, furs, and luxury cars in the Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog, the idea of such conspicuous consumption by residents of the Metroplex during this Yuletide season doesn't exactly shock me. I just think that there are probably hundreds of animals in the Dallas area that could have had a nice holiday season if a kindly woman helped put food and water in their dishes.

In any event, Merry Christmas to those of you for whom it's appropriate. Happy Saturday to the rest of you.