I had a great time over the weekend ... I took my 9 month old silver mitt, Pepper, with me to the shopping center (strip mall) where one of those large pet supply stores are located who let you bring in your pets. We walked around looking for Totally Ferret (I can't find it in my area again, can anyone help? I'm in Pittsburgh) and we thoroughly enjoyed all the attention. But the best part was a family who stopped to talk and Pepper managed to drag my jacket onto the floor and proceeded to show them what ferrets do best -- play! He had attracted a circle of onlookers by the time he poked his head out my sleeve. These people were amazed! :) We were getting Ooooos and Ahhhhs from three isles up! When he stuck his nose out the sleeve and writhed about (look mom, I'm a worm!) the crowd exclaimed! Heh. After we'd played in the pet store a while (he really, really wanted to knock off all the dog-training dumbbells) we started up the sidewalk and got about 10 feet before having another impromptu education session with a different family. It helps that Pepper is rather large, very fluffy, and happy to climb down anyone's jacket if permitted. These two kids (looked like ages 9 and 10) were doing a serious sell job on their mom in a bid for a pet ferret (they apparently knew someone who has one). By the end of the session (Pepper had climbed up my leg, down my jacket and out my sleeve) I could tell she was seriously considering it. :) I LOVE being a ferret missionary! --Barb-- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- Barbara Carlson Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA [log in to unmask] (412) 481-5927 http://www.gsia.cmu.edu/andrew/bcarlson/home.html (under construction) Thought for the day: If "boring women have immaculate homes," I must be very interesting! -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- -=- [Posted in FML issue 1497]