Okay, okay...the only Furry Inspirations that got to the Showjumping at Hartwood show yesterday was Tess...and while hot on the trail of a new shed blade to help me rid Tess of her corgi-induced undercoat (it took two shows and numerous vendors to find one) I happen to glance up and saw a saddle pad made of that incredible otter-patterned fabric that I've been told is no longer being manufactured. I stared at it in awed delight and mentioned it to the vendor whom I knew from my riding days when I bought numerous things--helmet, CL schoolers, stirrups, britches, tapes, etc.--at her store. She got it down for me and let me stroke it and check out the price which turned out to be less than she'd thought. We conversed about the fact that I did not have a horse, was not welcome at the barn where I used to ride (their agent didn't like the fact that my insurance company came after the owner's insurance company when I'd broken my femur and needed a hip replacement during a fall and suggested they ban me from the place), and now kept company with ferrets. After thinking of last month's charge bill being extravagant, staring down at the prized "ferret" print, and wondering what I would feel like if it knew I'd "let it get away" I dug out my charge card and told her to "wrap it up". She roared w/ laughter and told a bunch of people I'd just bought a saddle pad for six ferrets. When I think of how much I've spent for one hammock that holds 2 or 3 ferrets and know this saddle pad can easily hold 20 I didn't get that bad a deal. In fact, I could slit it in half and get 2 hammies out of it or just use it as a blankie for the little ones to hide under...or dance on top of like they did when I put it on the floor this morning. I know I'm more proud of it than the ferrets are, but their idea of necessity is different from mine. Now I'm really glad I bought it...and no, it's not for sale. I'm going back to the show today and will check to see if she's got any more of these saddle pads in stock in case someone else craves something form this incredible mustelid fabric. Pat, proud mommy of the Furry Inspirations [Posted in FML issue 3101]