The only ferret mascot I know of is Pokey, the mascot of the Mass. Colonial Navy. This is a ceremonial organization that marches in parades and attends other "dress" events (no connection to Old Ironsides, a federal monument). They dress in old time sailor garb and carry old banners in a fife and drum line up. The rationale for appointing Pokey is the reputed use of ferrets on colonial warships as ratters and companions. Pokey was appointed 5 or more years ago and may not be alive still. There hasn't been any recent mention of him. He is (was) owned by Bruce Deane White, the founder of the United Ferret Organization (UFO). The UFO charter claims to actively support ferret rights (I'm a charter member). Deane was disappointingly silent in our fight to legalize this past year and years before. To be fair, he did print 2 articles that Sharon Burbine submitted or played some role in. (The latest quarterly newsletter arrived Monday and has an article on the front page asking people to write in, covered partially by a sticker announcing the governor signed the bill after the press run.) However, Deane has run the only licensed ferret shelter in the state, at Assonet, MA, for 7+ years, which indicates to me he has some pull. I wrote him asking him to attend various hearings and he never responded. Tried calling too. I don't know his reasons, but he just didn't walk the walk. Deane also runs Ferret World, a catalog sales company. Decent products, but a slightly limited selection. Great catalog for ferret pictures though. ( )--(a) (@=@=) \ Till next time.......Rudy the ferlosopher O__) \ \___ \ \ /\ * ) \ [Moderator's note: Mr. White has been discussed in some of the early FMLs as well as on other services. Let's just say that, umm, I don't ever recall reading anything that was in the least bit flattering. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 1419]