Attached is the email which I sent to Prairie Home Companion regarding their mention of ferrets on the show last week. I addressed it from the fuzzbeans in the hopes of keeping it light and (hopefully) humorous, while still (hopefully) making a point. To: Prairie Home Companion ([log in to unmask]) From: Ela Heyn Paddington and Scooter Ferrets here, writing to you from Nutley, NJ. We listened to your program this Saturday, and were pleased to hear ferrets described as marauding destroyers of lawn and garden. Well, we can't say that this is actually TRUE, ferrets being domesticated indoor animals, and black footed ferrets (the only wild species of ferret) not even existing in Minnessota. However, patently false though it may be, we like to think ourselves as wild, marauding pirates, and were happy to see that you apparently agree. Keep up the good work! Ferrets rule; dogs drool! Signed, Paddington and Scooter Ferrets Owned by loyal listener Ela Heyn P.S. In light of the pending legislation in California to legalize ferrets as pets, however, perhaps you could not portray ferrets as marauding wild animals for the time being? We don't want anyone to think that wild bands of newly-legalized ferrets will go stalking, killing and tipping cows in the Golden State, you know .... [Posted in FML issue 1570]