Just adding my two cents to the discussion about people misjudging ferrets
when they have never interacted with one.  I was at a pet store last night,
holding one of the sweet ferrets they had, a young male who is a bit
rambunctious.  Understandably, he just wanted to get down and run around,
which I of course could not let him do in the store.  So there he is
squirming while I pet him and try to soothe him and this woman turns around
and exclaims, "Ugh!  Who would want to keep one of THOSE for a pet?" with a
look of horror on her face.
 
"Well," I replied, quite indignantly, "Ihave two at home who are WONDERFUL
pets, and I was currently thinking about buying this little guy.  He's just
a baby, you know, and wants to play." But I was so outraged at her attitude
towards such a sweet creature!  It was obvious she had never interacted with
a ferret before, and yet there she was, passing judgement.
 
-Eva
[Posted in FML issue 1881]