Mr. Lipinski, I have in the past defended you when you got flamed for some
comments I thought perhaps were taken out of context or misunderstood.  Not
that you asked me to, but I believe we ought to play fair and play nice
together.  I've made some good friends out of these previous off line
discussions, and am glad of it.
 
Now, however, I have to comment myself.  I'm not trying to throw rocks at
you, either.  I can tell you strongly love ferrets.  People who know you
have stated this, and I believe them.  But, sir, "honey attracts more flies
than vinegar." Your choice of words inflames people, whether intentionally
or not.  I'm not saying your views are not worthy of consideration, even if
I don't agree with them.  It's just the method they are delivered, that's
all.
 
I have to agree with the poster who commented that it is "all about being
a responsible parent."  When I got my first ferret, Pato, two years ago,
my youngest child was 4 (the others, just for info, were 16 and 14).  I
knew nothing about ferrets, but quickly learned.  One thing I didn't have
to be taught though was that you don't leave small children and animals
unattended.  It's not fair or responible to either side.  Angel has learned
how to interact and safely play with animals.  I trust both ferrets and
child implicitly.  She is quite responsible, and I wouldn't be surprised if
she grew up to be a vet.  Someone on this list has seen my little girl
interact with their ferrets, so I have a "collaborator" when I say she is
responsible.  But that is now that she is a little older (6), not when she
was 4 or younger.
 
See, I have this chihuahua dog that I love dearly.  Anyone who knows
chihuahuas know they can be possessive little beasties.  She would growl at
Angel when I brought her home from the hospital, and I wouldn't dare leave
them alone together.  But they learned and are now best friends when they
see each other.  (Pita, due to other circumstances, is now staying at my
friends home until I can buy a home of my own or rent a "dog friendly"
place.)
 
My point, you say?  Well, I SUPERVISED my child and my animals.  The key
to any responsible behavior.  I didn't immediately go out and get rid of
either child or pet.  I didn't not get a ferret because of my child.  But I
took the responsibility of making very sure they were both safe.  Because
as caretakers of little souls, either human or furry, that is our
responsibility.  90% or more of people know this.  If you you don't want
the responsibility, then don't have a child or a pet.  That easy.
 
One other thing, then I'll be quiet.  Mr. Rick Roller of the United Ferret
Organization is a very knowledgeable, wonderful man that works tirelessly
to try to end the farce that prevents ferrets from being legal in Salt Lake
County.  Only someone that lives out here can truely understand the way the
local politics work.  Trust me.  Politics may be politics, but Utah
politics have another added insanity level that I won't even go into here.
His arguments do use the very statistics, from reliable sources, that you
stated.  His display at the Exotic Show earlier in the year was
professional and informative.  I am proud to be a member of the U.F.O.
 
Although I cannot speak for Rick, I personally feel he didn't have to add
those things that we already know here on this forum.  Just my opinion,
folks.
 
Well, off my soapbox.  Let's all have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Let's make a resolution to be nice to each other and stop all this mud
slinging, both on the list and off.  People are hurt and no ferrets are
helped and it solves nothing.
 
Blessings to you all.
 
Catherine, Pato, Snowball, Hubert and Elsie
"Behind The Zion Curtain"
[Posted in FML issue 2542]