Practically everyone I know owns a cat or a dog, or both. The pet industry is big business in this country. But you don’t have to spend lots of money to spoil your “best friends.”

Moose loves to play with toys. His “mom” Pam shops Goodwill for old stuffed toys. She removes the stuffing so Moose can easily toss them around without fear of breaking anything.

Or make your own toys with t-shirts.

Cut off the sleeves then cut wide strips from the body.

Hold the ends together with a giant paper clip and braid. Wrap the ends with thin strips of leftover fabric and tie. Fringe the ends. Moose loved it!

Pam also inherited a cat, who has quickly become the queen of the house. Every royal feline deserves her own throne. I picked up an old hard cover suitcase and added blankets and pillows to make a comfy sleeping nook just for Autumn.

To further indulge your precious puss, serve dinner in a fancy dish. This silver-plate gravy bowl was only .99. Paint a sturdy placemat with chalkboard paint and personalize it.

Or if Mad Men is more your style, look for funky serving dishes in bright colors (also .99 each). Keep your floor clean with a mat cut from a black rug pad!