HELOISE Readers do the math on their extra-toed cats

Dear Readers: Here is our follow-up to the column on polydactyl cats. We have hundreds of photos from readers featuring their extra-toed cats. They are all so cute. Here are some comments from some of the readers:
UJan Barlett of Indianapolis says: "My 9-1/2-year-old cat named Mooch was a stray who appeared through our pet door, thus the name. He has five toes on each back foot and six on each of his front paws -- totaling 22 toes."
UJanean Oberlander of New Knoxville, Ohio, says: "I've had cats my entire life, but never any 'mitten paws' until two years ago. We took in a stray calico, and she had six kittens, five of whom were mitten paws."
USarah Sedar of Jackson, N.J., says: "My cat Kiwi is 9 years old. He has 23 toes and was a stray who found us. Sweetest cat you would ever meet."
UBarbara Thomas of Arlington, Texas, says: "I have a 1-year-old cat named Decker. He has 23 toes. He is a big, lovable doofus and a playful clown."
URick and Andrea Avery of Laconia, N.H., say: "We have Bandit, a 3-year-old with 22 toes. His favorite resting place is on top of the microwave."
UJ. Rufford and Martha Harrison of Washington, N.H., say: "Our cat Snowshoe was a stray who we adopted. This cat has an extra toe on each foot. When they are all lined up, he looks like nothing but feet."
UJoan Ordway of North Kingstown, R.I., says: "My cat is 2 1/2 years old. We adopted him from a shelter almost a year ago. He was named Thumbs when we got him, and we thought the name was perfect, as he has six toes on each front paw and five toes on each rabbitlike back foot. His footprints in the snow are very distinguishable."
UCindy Lacasse of Jackman, Maine, says: "Pocus, my 4-1/2-month-old kitten, has 24 toes. He has six toes on all four feet."
UThirza Smith of Hingham, Mass., says: "My cat is all black and named Ivory. He is 6 years old and has 22 toes."
Special thanks to all the readers who took the time to send in a photo of their polydactyl cats. It was hard for us to choose only a few photos, since they were all winners in our book. Want a gander at these adorable cats? Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, and click on This Week's Pet to see all nine cats. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I don't have kids, but I still have to do toy pickup at my house. I bought a cute basket for all my dogs' toys. The only problem is, they take them out as soon as I put them in. I usually leave the toys out unless I'm expecting company, and then it is toy-pickup time. Delores in Maine
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; can fax to (210) HELOISE or e-mail heloise@heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate