I don't know if this has been mentioned before, as I'm a relatively
new member of the FML, but while I was cruising through alt.skunks
just to see what was going on there, I noticed an entry in the
"Skunks Observed" (instances of skunks in films, etc.) posting.
A series called "Carnivores!" regularly airs on the Arts & Enter-
tainment channel, and episode #6 is about mustelids.  I don't
get cable, so I was wondering if it happens to mention anything
about our lil' domesticated friends (and how accurate it is), or
anything about the Black-Footed Ferret.  I'm a fan of this "rarest
of North American mammals," according to _The_Audobon_Society_Field
_Guide_to_North_American_Mammals_.  Thought some of you might want
to watch out for this, to see how ferrets and/or their relatives
get handled, as most or all of the mustelids seem to get bad press.
 
I found a great way to expose more people to ferrets - if you're
not in a FFZ, take them to a pet supplies warehouse-type of store
where they allow you to bring in your pets.  They usually sell no
critters, or just fish and maybe amphibians.  I took Rocko & Randall
to one of these places today, and they got a lot of attention, with
oohs and aahs all around.  Of course, while they were being so cute,
I took the opportunity to educate people about care, temperament,
and the misguided laws of various area communities with the reasons
why these laws aren't right.  I also usually added that Minneapolis,
for instance, doesn't allow you to own reptiles, and that you need
a permit and permission from neighbors to own a rabbit, which tended
to make people wonder about them.  Just make sure that your furries
use the litter box before you go, or that you bring a small box for
in a cart and/or paper towels and ziploc-type plastic baggies for
any mistakes!  (Well, at least it's less to clean up than for the
more usual pets there.)
 
Denise, with Rocko & Randall, plus Grumpy (teddy bear hamster who didn't
   go along to the pet supplies store, but did get a lot of neat food
   out of the deal)
 
[Posted in FML issue 0911]