by Linda Kay

Original Air Date: December 14, 1981

Directed by: Phil Monroe

Synopsis: Alvin gives his expensive harmonica to a sick boy right before Dave books him to play a harmonica solo at Carnegie Hall.

Cartoon Cat: Keeping his altruism a secret from Dave, Alvin, with the aid of Simon and Theodore, scrambles to raise enough money to buy a new harmonica. One of their plans for raising money entails Alvin posing as Santa Claus in a sleigh with eight dogs dressed as reindeer to take photos with the neighborhood children. Dave hears the commotion and steps outside to the strange sight just as Alvin is lowered next to a little girl with an orange cat.

Alvin asks the girl her name and she answers, “Cindy Lou.” (And she does look suspiciously like a slightly older human version of Cindy Lou Who.)

As Alvin remarks what a nice cat she has he suddenly realizes the problem about to unfold.

Sure enough the dogs go crazy and the cat leaps into the air and runs away with the faux reindeer in pursuit, all running right over Dave.

A picture book published by Random House and illustrated by Neil and Corne Cole and colored by Cindy Lee was released. In this adaptation the girl’s name is Denise Johnson and her cat’s name is Nibbles.

Final Mewsings: Cats prefer authenticity when it comes to posing with reindeer.

Many thanks to Laura for letting us know about the cat in this special.

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