Oh gosh, this is really hard, as I don't want to "start" anything, but
youngsters learning about ferrets through their 4-H group is a very good way
for the wonders of ferrets to be spread.
 
And, whatever they are learning about or doing - it's ALWAYS called a
"project".  That's just the term used.  Apparently, the word "project" has
bad memories for some people, just like hearing the words "own" makes some
people who share their lives and homes with ferrets uncomfortable.
 
However - the child does NOT need a breeding ferret for their project.  They
do not need to breed ferrets to meet 4-H requirements for a successful
project.  [You can tell I'm a former 4-H leader can't you!] Learning how to
properly care for a ferret is in and of itself quite a project - as some of
us new ferret persons, long past our 4-H days, can attest to!
 
Also, the 4-H mother or leader was out of line to be discourteous, and we
all have the right to not sell a ferret to anyone, for whatever reason.  And
the CHILD should have been making the contact.  It's really about learning,
and there's a step missing, when some adult "hands" you your project -
'scuse me the animal whose nutritional needs, housing requirements, medical
care, and habits, you wish to learn about.
 
Children who grow up learning about animals become responsible adults, less
likely to buy a pet on a whim, because they are grounded in the knowledge
that each species has it's own requirements.
 
And for those whose backgrounds doesn't include 4-H, a youngster with such a
project would learn and report to their group monthly the various aspects of
responsibility having a ferret entails.  At the end of the year (4-H co-
incides with with the regular school year) they would make a presentation to
a group of county 4-H officials - called a "demonstration", showing they had
successfully learned proper care of their ferret project.  [Ya know, it's
kinda like giving a nail clipping demo at our monthly ferret club meeting!]
 
As long as I still have everyone's attention (assuming I do!) a funny thing
happened - ferret wise - over the weekend.  Percy spent the morning working
on Burnies cage, and for those who don't know us, trust me, it's a BIG cage,
then went directly to the airport.  Shortly, the mechanic said "do you have
a ferret"?  Then they talked ferrets - his is named Streak.  Wow, who would
ever have thought that a guy looking for an annual would find a fellow
ferret owner A&P!  "But how did he know", I asked, "did he see you at the
OFA Fun Match"?  Mr."Never Ask Questions" Wood didn't know.  I say it was
from laying on his back in the cage all morning - probably had his head on
Saturday nites towel!
 
Ferrets, they sure get around!
 
Georgia
[Posted in FML issue 1709]