For many years our family's Christmas tree was surrounded by a playpen. That wasn't because the dog in residence at the time would have eaten the tree, but rather for two other reasons:

a. Her tail was pretty lethal to any lower-hanging ornaments - she was a Great Dane mix, so think of "lower" as anything under 3 1/2 feet off the ground. We swore she had no nerve endings in her tail, cause she wacked it pretty hard against all sorts of things with no noticable effect!

b. She LOVED candy canes. Would have climbed the tree to get one, and would practically stare the good taste off of one you were trying to eat. the playpen kept the candy canes (which were only near the top of the tree) safe, too.

It also had another beneficial effect - it kept all the presents neatly beneath the tree, and when they were younger, kept the grandchildren from eating the tree, the lights (oh, they sparkle must be yummy!) or the presents!

It would not, of course, have even slowed down any self-respecting cat!

[This message has been edited by Karen (edited November 27, 2000).]