On or about 10/30/97 I posted that the bottom of the angora ferret market had likely been reached when the Seattle newspaper ran an ad for 8 baby fancy, angora, 1st time available in US at $195.00 each. Today, 11/15/97, same add, this time only 6 (kits), and the price has come down $20 to $175.00 each. Tell me, how long ago was it that the angora was a severely restricted supply and one angora sold for $400.00, if you could even get one? Looks like the price of these special-breed ferrets has fallen drastically in a relatively short time. Now that it appears that the angora may become more plentiful, will the show people have a specialty ring for angoras? Seems like that would be the normal way to go, since the coat of an angora isn't really comparable to the standard "short-haired" ferret, is it? Now for the big question: Is this the first step down that slippery slope of species degradation where pressure upon a given species by show people for something "different" will ultimately sink a species, as has happened to dogs and cats; their having been bred for the widest spread of conformations possible and the horrible physical mutilations that resultingly have followed? This will be very interesting to see how this develops over the next decade or so. Knowing human nature for what it is, I gloomily predict that the ferret will go the same way as the dog and cat. And, who will be responsible? It's so simple: Shows encourage conformation. Ferret Olympics encourage ability, health, robustness, and of greatest importance, encourages bringing to the forefront the natural frolicksome, impish and comical nature that IS the ferret. Perhaps more importantly, it vividly demonstrates the amazingly intelligent relationship that is developed between a ferret and its owner. Folks, are we now at the committal "fork" in the road? Please, put your emotions aside and think on this clearly as you can. Which way are you going to go, or can you go both ways? Just one way? Which way? Candide et caute. [L.] With candor and caution. Edward Frettchenvergnuegen Lipinski [Posted in FML issue 2127]