>I was reading Entertainment news Headlines today on the Ananova Website
>and under the article titled: "Ben Stiller needed rabies jab after
>ferret bit him" I was astounded to read quotes from Mr Stiller along
>the lines of "...I didn't provoke him at all... Their teeth are sharp
>like razors.  I mean they're rat-like creatures.  I was a horrible
>experience." I gather this ferret bit him on the chin while filming the
>movie "Along Came Polly" (with Jennifer Aniston) and this interview with
>Mr Stiller was aired on Channel14.com.  Its a shame it happened, since
>this may be used as one more justification by those in California who
>are against legalizing them as pets.  Kimberly Latas"
 
It's unfortunate that this happened, but I think we should all cut Ben
Stiller a little slack.  This was apparently his very first experience
with a ferret, so he obviously didn't know very much about them and how
diverse their personalities can be.  He also may not have realized that
perhaps something he did (while running with the ferret) may have scared
or provoked it to react in that way.  If one's very first experience
with an animal is unpleasant it can affect one's initial opinion of
that animal, fair or not.  I wouldn't fault someone for deciding to get
a rabies shot either.  Isn't it better that he opted to get a rabies
shot rather than having the ferret killed and tested for the disease?
Some people opt to kill a healthy animal as opposed to getting a shot
themselves.  At least Ben Stllier had enough compassion for the little
guy to let himself go through the pain of rabies shots instead of the
alternative.  I give him brownie points for that! :)
 
Chris Page said:
>Maybe the arrogance of Hollywood is showing here, where they are
>surprised that a sentient creature reacts to being used as a "prop".....
>I hope that the ferret (assuming it is still alive) was examined by a
>vet to ensure it wasnt exposed to any nasty illnesses when it bit this
>worthless individual."
 
I think that statement is going a bit too far.  Calling someone you do
not even know "arrogant" and "worthless" is wrong!  I cannot count the
number of times I have seen posts on the FML where people are all excited
because they saw a ferret being used in a comercial or movie.  How many
times have you seen people advise you to go see a movie simply because
it had a ferret in it?  I don't believe for one second that everyone in
Hollywood is "arrogant".  That is a sad generalization -just as sad as
the way many people have generalized all ferrets as being ravenous
creatures, or "rat-like".
 
I personally don't consider it an insult that he compared a ferret to a
rat.  I have had both rats and ferrets and various animals in my home and
cared for them all.  I don't see a ferret as being superior or elevated
above a rat.  They are equally intelligent and loving in their own ways.
I love ferrets, but I will never be so "arrogant" myself as to deny that
many are indeed nippy, or even biters.  People on the fml discuss this
all the time.  It is nothing new.
 
Even if Ben Stiller did nothing wrong with how he held the ferret chances
are it may have still nipped him even if just playfully.  Not everyone is
going to love ferrets as much as we do just as some folks here admitedly
don't like rats and will even feed rats to their ferrets as treats!  To
me that is appalling, because I think rodents are every bit as adorable
as a ferret.  The point is someone else may have a very different opinion
or love of ferrets just as many here seem to prefer them over other
animals.
 
I will say it again: At least Ben Stiller decided to get a rabies shot
when he felt concerned instead of having the ferret killed (which by law
he could have done).  Let's cut the guy a little slack and chill with
the insults. :)
[Posted in FML issue 4366]