toys: how cats and kids are alike

    We have three (indoor) cats -- only one of which we would consider psychologically normal -- and each one has a favorite toy. Not a store-bought toy, however, or even a lovely handmade one like the felted ball someone sweet made for them. No, they like best a few things that most anyone would have around the house.     Sasha likes balls of paper, in particular, balls of foil candy wrappers. Brickle like string, especially shoe strings. For Nero is has been straws, but now we have discovered something that he just goes nuts over: red laser light.     We discovered this a few months ago, but recently #1Son bought some kind of flashlight with a laser. Shine it on the floor, furniture or wall, and Nero is chasing it with the energy of a manic kitten. #1Son lets him play with the laser every night when he gets home from work, and now Nero also turns with anticipation whenever #1Son comes into the living room from anywhere else in the house at practically any time of the day or night. Tonight we even caught him sitting looking at the flashlight on the end table. I've got to try to get at least a few seconds of video of these antics.     So just like with children, we have often spent money on toys, but they (our cats at least) alway seem to have more fun playing with the packaging! LC, asleep at the keyboard