Kim, Thank you so much for putting into words exactly how I felt when I read Anon. post. I think that Anon. must have little show experience, and is unfamiliar with the process. I have never been to a ferret show :( Here in California) but I do know that it is a standard and acceptable practice for an animal to attend a show without the owner having to be present. It is completely common knowledge, that showing animals, (whether they be thorough bred horses, pure bred dogs/cats, or domestic livestock) is often done by a handler or trainer; NOT always by the OWNER. Showing animals is very time consuming, expensive, and requires a lot of traveling. Owners who can afford it, will often hire a trainer or handler to do the "show" aspect of breeding top quality animals and establishing champion lines. These handlers treat the animals in their care (often more than one) with excellence. They have their reputation to keep if they are going to show and any corrupt behavior could result in their being banned from the ring. Trainers/handlers don't come cheep and it is usually their life's work to travel the show circuit with their charges. That Dawn offered to do this without any finical compensation, except the price of gas, just goes to show how generous she was trying to be; and proves it's not all about the money! Ferret shows are about upholding the standards of the breed, providing educational opportunities to the public, and a good resource to finding a reputable breeder. They thankfully provide a wonderful alternative to the pet shop ferret mills. Any well socialized, happy, and healthy ferret would not suffer "Stress" by attending a ferret show. Indeed through selective breeding these are some of the very valuable traits that are desirable to pass on to the next generation. Aggressive ferrets are NOT desirable; biters are disqualified and selectively never bred again. Dawn, please correct me if I am wrong about any of this. Thank you, Pam [Posted in FML issue 4637]