All I Want This Holiday Season is a Little More Freedom

I have the best ferrets - always have. Putting them back in their cage this morning I thought "wouldn't it be wonderful to take them outside? - that's what I'd really like to do this Christmas."

I'm one of those people who has problems with Christmas - brings out the worst in me. And my birthday is two days later. This year I'll turn 50. It will also mark one year since I've had a job. There's not Christmas at our house this year - I want it that way.

I'm usually pretty conservative when it comes to money, but for years I promised myself I'd go all out when I turned 50. I've never had a wedding, graduation or bar mitzvah. My parents told me I was born on March 17th (St Patrick's Day - what a coincidence) - it wasn't until I was 10 that my great aunt Eda let it slip I was born on Dec 27th.

A few years ago I decided I wanted to spend my glorious 50th in the Chile/Argentina wine country and then visit Easter Island. Ain't gonna happen this year - and I'm ok with that. A lot of people are losing their homes, misery is all around us - I'll just have to wait a little longer to celebrate the big 5 - 0.

But the truely clever mind always have a plan B. I want to do something truly outrageous on the big day - TAKE THE FERRET OUT IN PUBLIC.

Problem is, who pays for such foolishness/audacity/whatever? The ferret. I can't let that happen and that has been one of the biggest obstacles to getting ferrets legalized. I did it before, it was a complete disaster featuring ferret euthanasia and jail time.

As Janice Joplin sang "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to loose." And I can't afford to lose a ferret.

So perhaps I'm not so clever. My current plan is to find out if Denny's still offers a free lunch on your birthday and break out a special box of macaroni and cheese that evening.

Eight is my unluckly number. 2009 has to be better.

And the Winner is Former Assemblyman Richard Floyd

I had to assign member number 666 of the 3000 Club this morning. It turned out to be an easy decision.

I've been working on ferret legalization many years. I have a long memory and room for many grudges, but the most outrageous comments from someone who should be intelligent came from Former Assemblyman Richard E Floyd.

Even more incredible, after ten years what is on the top of my stack but an old thermal paper fax that this assemblyman sent to the California Animal Control Directors Association. I had to rekey it in, but this is what our honorary member wrote:

January 13, 1998

Dear CACDA Member:

As a member of the State Legislature, I want to speak directly to you about the issue of ferrets. No doubt you know that possession of this creature is a misdemeanor in California, and that the state authorizes seizure of these animals to be removed or, if deemed necessary to be eradicated.

I oppose legalization of this vicious predator. From my perspective, legalization will only guarantee that uncounted numbers of babies will be carried bleeding in to emergency rooms.

As evidence of the brutal aspect of ferrets, I turn your attention to three recent attacks by this animal against children. The enclosed news article describes an attack from December, where a “pet” ferret so viciously attacked twin infants in Anaheim that they needed hospitalization.

Dr Riley, of the Veterinary Public Health Section of the State Department of Health
Services, has also informed that two attacks occurred within just this past week, one in San Diego and another in Marysville, both of which also resulted in the hospitalization of small children.

In light of these attacks and knowing the predatory nature of this animal, I call upon each of the members of the California Animal Control Directors Association to seize any ferret brought into your facility or which otherwise comes into your possession. Seized animals should be removed from the state or eradicated. Under no
circumstances should ferrets be handed over to a private individual claiming
possession, as this remains a proscribed creature.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in the front line enforcement of state
law.

Sincerely,

Hon. Richard E Floyd
Member, California State Assembly
55th District

Cc: Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith

Who Will Be Member 666?

I'm not a religious person but I don't like to tempt fate.

My first job out of college was the graveyard computer operator at the Elgar Corporation, right behind the El Camino Cemetary. I was the only night worker...

Waiting for the computer to finish jobs, I had time to read books, and one book I read was The Demonologist.

And according to the demon-hunters, Mr and Mrs Warren, evil spirits are indeed attracted to the number 666.

I wouldn't want to assign that membership number to anyone good enough to support ferret legalization.

What should we do with member number 666? I'm tempted to donate a membership to DFG spokesman Ron J, but we're turning over a new leaf and trying to avoid negativity.

Hmmm.

IContact Reject CLIFFNotes over "Ebay" and "Craigslist"

Trying to send out last night's version of CLIFFNotes on IContact I received this error:

Your message has been rejected for the following reason:

This message does not meet our criteria for content. Unless and until this message meets criteria for prohibited content (http://www.icontact.com/terms/prohibited.php), you will be unable to send it via iContact.

Thank you for your cooperation and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Regards, iContact Customer Support
2635 Meridian Parkway Suite 100
Durham, NC 27713
(877) 968-3996
support@icontact.com

The prohibited words were "EBay" and "Craigslist" neither of which is listed in the terms. I also embedded a YouTube video, which is not listed as a violation on their terms.

I asked for a 25% credit for the month which they declined, offering 10%. But since this was 25% of our monthly usage, 25% seemed fair.

We are no longer using IContact - I think they suck.

To read the CLIFFNotes in question, http://www.ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotes/Vol3No47.html If you can recommend another company, I would appreciate it.

Pat Wright
http://www.legalizeferrets.org/
www.ferretsanon.com

Responses to my No on Proposition 8 Appeal

This week I sent to the CLIFFNotes subscribers an appeal to vote No on California Proposition 8 - The email went out to 3,777 people. If you didn't see it, here is a copy of the letter at http://www.ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotes/NoonProp8Letter.pdf

About 100 responses came back, 90 positive, 10 somewhat negative and only one out right hostile. I received a lot of congratulations for being married - something I didn't expect. Thank you every who sent in their good wishes, it made me feel great.

I was a little apprehensive sending out a political appeal to a ferret list. I don't wish anyone to feel I'm pushing my political views on them. But our California ferret list is about upholding and protecting rights - most people were supportive.

I don't want anyone to feel unwelcome to the ferret legalization efforts if they support Proposition 8. CLIFFNotes is about ferret legalization, nothing more. The view was presented as my own and sent out on my private email. Legalized same-sex marriage came as a shock to me - I kind of felt like the bird sitting in the bird cage and the door is left open - what do you do?

That being said, I appreciate all the messages of people sharing their feelings with me. There are a lot of gay people on our mailing list. And we all know how it feels to see our neighbors put up "Yes on 8" signs. Its hurtful - an obvious sign of rejection and hostility.

A few people asked what happened regarding Rocky. Rocky was a ferret I bought in Colorado Springs back in 1996. Rocky had personality. Since I'm already going to hell, I'll tell you that Rocky's full name was "Rocky God-damn-it!" because Rocky was always getting in trouble. And my spouse could often be heard "Rocky God Damn It, Get off the ... "

He had a successful adrenal surgery late 1997. On January 1st 1998 we were having a ferret walk in Balboa Park. Tom Tokar, a camera man for Channel 39 came to my house to get some photos of us getting ready. Rocky bit him on the thumb. As expected a quarantine order came down and Animal Control showed up at my door. They did not have a warrant so I wouldn't give them Rocky. We made arrangements to have Rocky quarantined at the vet and then sent out of state. (where I'd retrieve him) A few days later I asked Animal Control if they were familiar with the National Public Health Veterinarians study on rabies in ferrets which recommended a ten day quarantine. They called the Department of Health Services in Sacramento. DHS, knowing they had my ferret, replied with a fax "euthanize the ferret in custody immediately." Later they asked for Rocky's vaccination records. I spent about $13000 in court costs but we were denied "with prejudice" and not allowed in court.

And a few people asked about my experience at the Department of Real Estate. I passed the California Real Estate License exam in 2002 and applied for a real estate license. They sent me a letter saying my license application was being challenged on the grounds of moral turpitude. I had to go through 18 months of bureaucratic red tape. On one of the applications I had to check a box; married, single or divorced. I didn't and don't consider myself any of those things. I wrote in "Domestic Partner." My license application was denied for "failed family relationships" amongst other things.

So there's my story. I hate this election and the bad feelings being generated. I like to get along with people but when I hear my marriage has to be annulled because Jesus doesn't like it - I get a little upset.

Vote No on Proposition 8

One of the most interesting movies I've ever seen was "Liar, Liar" with Jim Carrey. How much easier life would be if people had to tell the truth. And how many lies we have to get past in our day to day lives.

"Ferrets are wild animals." "Ferrets are a threat to wildlife and public health." "The California Fish and Game Commission has not determined ferrets to be normally domesticated in this state."

Wouldn't it be fun if the people who made those statements were forced to tell the truth, just like Jim Carrey's character in that movie, in front of everyone? What would we hear?



Lies take on a life of their own and another one is causing me a little grief. I normally don't like to go off the ferret legalization topic, but this is my blog. So here goes.



The People Behind Proposition 8 Are Lying



Proposition 8, if passed, would deny the right of same sex couples to marry. It isn't about protecting marriage - the motive behind it is to fight the public acceptance of homosexuality.



"Time to fight homosexuality - My fellow Christians: Hold fast to your beliefs. Homosexuality is a sin. We are in a spiritual warfare. It is good against evil. Traditional marriage is good; homosexuality is evil." wrote one letter writer to the Ventura County Star.



That's just one letter writer, all it does is show their motivation.



A more blatant and dangerous lie can be found on the "iprotectmarriage.com" website:



Q: Isn't banning gay marriage just like banning interracial marriage?
A: It's completely unrelated. Blacks who endured prejudice can't wake up in the morning and not be black. None of us can be counseled out of our race or ethnicity. But homosexual behavior is a choice, and countless gays and lesbians have left the alternative lifestyle.




Homosexuality is not a choice. Isn't that obvious? Who chose their sexual orientation, can one person say they chose to be straight or gay? No, it is the way we came out of the womb or something we picked up very early in life. No one knows for sure.

The point is, lies hurt us. People not minding their own business hurt us. We aren't all straight. We aren't all dog and cat owners. A society advances and people achieve greater happiness given the freedom to be who they are.

Of course my freedom ends where yours begin. I have no right how to tell you to live your life either.

Please vote no on Proposition 8. If we let them take away this freedom, who's freedom will be next?

Update on Clifford, aka Mr X

It is with some relief that I can report that Clifford, formerly known as Mr. X is indeed doing better. (reported on in previous blog)

It is safe to say Clifford is being spoiled by his new owner, Rebecca. It's nice to have some happy news to report. There seems to be a dark cloud underneath a lot of people these days.

We still owe about $300 on his vet bill, expect an appeal in the upcoming issue of CLIFFNotes. Go to http://www.ferretsanon.com/signup.html if you don't get our newsletter.

Feeling Blue over Mr X

Yesterday as I was putting together CLIFFNotes a call came in about someone's dogs finding and hurting a ferret. Ugh!

I drove down to Chula Vista from La Mesa, picked up the ferret and went to the Pet Emergency Specialty Center in La Mesa. They gave me the red carpet treatment. Was it because we spent $12,000 there last year on the dogs? Or was it because they call me for ferret blood?

Regardless - I am grateful. The initial Sunday afternoon diagnosis was the ferret had a puncture wound on one hip. The Monday morning, after X-ray diagnosis is much bleaker, something about spinal cord damage.

This ferret, who is listed as Mr X (I'm not always that creative) had that certain ferretude. I was hoping to get off cheaply, both financially and emotionally.

The price in both regards is going to be higher. It seems these days nothing is easy. But I know the ferret community won't let me down. We'll do everything we can - and I'm going to name this ferret Clifford. Expect a fundraising effort on his behalf soon.

Everybody Seems Familiar

I've been working pretty hard today on a non-ferret issue and subscriptions for CLIFFNotes keep coming in - which is a good thing.

But everyone looks familiar. I just got a subscription from someone named Amanda. That name and email address sure look familiar. But our database is nearing the 6000 mark - so I don't know or remember that many people.

Just to take a break I decided to count (actually the computer does it) to find out what is the most popular name in our database.

Turns out to be Michael, followed by Lisa, John and Jennifer. Amanda is the 9th most popular name amongst people on our list.

I'm also always interested in which zipcode is our best. It is Santee (92071) followed by Lakeside (92040). Looking at who visits the www.ferretsanon.com website, the most popular city is West Hollywood.

Nearly 100 people signed up for CLIFFNotes last week and 20 unsubscribed. Not too shabby. The finances have been a little scary. We were down to $11 in the bank account, but thanks to some very generous people, we're firmly in the black.

OK - time for me to go back to work.

Yesterday Was Not A Good Day

CLIFFNotes went out a day late this week. I really hate being late, it is supposed to go out Sunday evening, but the data wouldn't load on EmailBrain. "There system must be down - I'll have to be patient" I told myself.

Monday morning when technical support was available they told me my list was bad. The same list I've used for the past 2 1/2 years. Hello? Is there something wrong here?

So I switched to a new company - IContact. They are twice the price but the list uploaded in ten seconds. I spent 5 hours trying to upload it to EmailBrain.

In the middle of all this technical back and forth a call comes in from the adoption list. "Something terrible has happened... I need a new ferret" What happened? I asked. "Our dog killed our ferret - what can I do?" "Get rid of the dog" I answered before I could think about it.

"We did" was the reply. But was it the dog's fault? Was it really anyone's fault? But it sure made me sick to my stomach. I feel bad for being critical - I've had to deal with animal tragedies at my house.

Then I get an email Blizzard died. At least Blizzard died of old age (I believe) I hope we all go that way. But Blizzard, a ferret out of state I never met, I know he was special. I hate to hear that news.

There is a lot of anxiety at my house. I've been pretty much unemployed for 18 months. I've got great skills in databases, web development and marketing, but I must be too old to get a job.

I'm worried about my own ferrets. What happens if one of them gets sick? My unemployment insurance stopped because a past employer put something in the file. There is no money coming in until an interview. That darn Quito is just too skinny - I think he was born a skinny weasel.

Although life is stressful, don't feel sorry for me. I did manage to marry well and invest well about 15 years ago. I have a pretty good life. Its just sometimes life seems to not give any breaks.

I have spent my unemployment time learning a lot of new things regarding web marketing. I enjoy it. I'm trying to start my own company. I have my eyes out for a job, but I've never seen the job market so bad in San Diego since Ronald Reagan was president.

I Hate it When People Give up their Ferrets

Another email came in, on our guest book at www.ferretsanon.com about someone looking to place their ferrets. Because of the bad economy they are moving into an apartment and the owner fears the maintenance person will discover the ferrets and turn them in.

A "Free to Good Home" approach.

I have been answering the Ferrets Anonymous phone and email for 15 years - I hate this situation - and it is more common than you would think.

People must feel guilty for owning ferrets, they think they aren't providing them with a good enough home. Someone else out there would be a better owner.

I am haunted by by a case many years ago. A woman feeling this gave up her ferret. The new owner would not let her see it and the feeling was that something bad (and intentional) had happened to the ferret. The new owner seemed a bit of a sicko. That poor woman cried on my shoulder more than once.

Perhaps the maintenance person owns ferrets - its happened! Perhaps the apartment managers are more understanding than you'd think.

The last apartment I rented I snuck the ferrets in. No one can enter the apartment without advance notice. I just snuck the ferrets in the back room, not that that landlord ever did any service. I put heavy plastic under the doors and there was no damage. I also had the carpets cleaned before I left, no odor.

Giving away your ferrets could be a permanent solution to a temporary problem. There are people in Ferrets Anonymous who will foster your ferrets if you run into trouble.

Disagreeing is OK

It's not a secret - I don't care who knows, there is some serious disagreement going on within the LegalizeFerrets.org (or whatever you wish to call it) working group that is planning the next steps towards ferret legalization in California.



The disagreement involves how important is the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in regards to ferret legalization.

I received an email this morning from one of my favorite ferret people:

Posting in CliffNotes for 5000+ readers to see that the group is in
disagreement is not only divisive, it gives everyone the impression that we are
once again fighting the old "my way is better" fight reminiscent of just a
couple years ago.

California ferret legalization efforts were previously notorious for their flame wars. We are basically paranoid to avoid that.

But what we have here is healthy. We have people seriously involved and committed to ferret legalization trying their best to get it done. We are acting like adults.

I've been involved with organizations all my adult life. Every organization has at least one dissenter. And what is really annoying about this person - is they are usually right! (oh, how I hate that - are you listening Betsy Hawyard?)

Plus - CLIFFNotes will never be sugar-coated. People subscribe and read it because they want to know what is going on. Its not just propaganda.

But we will never trash people, we will always treat everyone's opinions with respect and I appreciate the valid questions being asked.

Pat Wright
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Negativity Rears Its Ugly Head or Why can't everyone be nice like Lance and Kimberly?

Ferret people are the meanest people I know. I am a ferret person. That is not a good logical starting point.

A Muslim attorney once told a group that while all terrorists are Muslims, not all Muslims are terrorists.

So I hope it goes for me. Although I must be far from perfect because I know a lot of ferret people in California don't like me.

Today's little flare up started when someone didn't like a suggestion I put out there. When a rude response came back, a rude response went out - "what charm school did you go to?" I sarcastically asked - and sent to the whole group.

Then this little gem came back:

"Pat,

I think you need to stop telling people what to do. This is another reason I refuse to join your little click. If I find my last name listed anywhere I will let you have it. In this state some of us wish to keep our names low key. Lisa"

So much for "How to Win Friends and Influence People" a great book from Dale Carnegie that I think I need to reread.

So my apology. And my admiration to Lance who said:

To keep from spreading negativity throughout FA, we all have to remember to keep certain things to ourselves at times. We all have a responsibility to the organization to make sure that you remain as positive as possible.

And Kimberly who chimed in:

I do realize that email's can be difficult because you can't hear a person's tone of voice. But I really think when a problem first arises it's best to nicely explain concerns or problems and see if they can easily be fixed. You get better results with honey than you do vinegar. I hope I didn't get anyone mad at me I just really want to see ALL of us try to get along and work TOGETHER.

And if I disapear - blame it on Lisa!

thank you!
Pat Wright
www.legalizeferrets.org
www.ferretsanon.com

I Never Thought The Day Would Come

Lance had mentioned he was thinking of doing this Blog entry - but for some reason I am inspired to write this. Perhaps it has something to do with this photo which is pinned to my partner's bulletin board:

On my partner's shoulder is Daisy. Daisy was the most remarkable ferret I have ever met. She was handed down from older brother to younger brother when I got her at 2 years of age. She lived another 7 years and even died cheaply. That sounds crass - but ferret owners know its hell to spend thousands on your ferret's cancer (or whatever treatments) and have them die. I have so many wonderful memories of Daisy.

I had Daisy when I met Jim. Ferrets were new to Jim and required quite an adjustment on his part. "Your condo smells like a game refuse" Jim told me early on, the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

The point is - back then, both my pets and relationship were not recognized. I always thought ferrets would be legal in California long before I could get married.

Last year we conducted a Field Research poll on our desired ferret legalization ballot measure. I was stunned when only 38% of Californians said they would vote to legalize ferrets. In talking to the San Jose Mercury News I told them "if we polled on gay marriage the numbers would have been higher." Ferret legalization was supposed to be a very uncontroversial issue.

What I didn't realize is that Field Research did include the gay marriage issue on the same poll and something like 42% of those polled said they'd support gay marriage.

I'm 49 - soon to be 50. Growing up gay in the 70's was very difficult - I don't think younger people can imagine and I hope they are having an easier time. It still isn't easy - but I've reached an age and a level of stability I don't have to worry too much what other people think.

However - there have been moments.

I applied for a license from the California Department of Real Estate. On the application I had to choose between married, single or divorced. "I'm none of those things" I told them - I will not ignore the commitment I have with Jim.

Jim has stuck with me through a lot. I called Jim when Rocky was taken from his vet's and euthanized - all because I am an advocate for ferret legalization. He met me at San Diego animal control. It was a terrible time for me. San Diego Animal Control told me they weren't going to euthanize Rocky that night - "call your lawyer" they said. They euthanized him 90 minutes after saying that.

I was on anti-depressants for three years after that. The doctor had me on 12 prescriptions over those years. I often thought he was helping me to kill myself.

Jim was the one who dealt with the seizures they caused and got me off the floor.

Jim rushed home when 9 armed agents broke down our front door to confiscate the ferrets after a child grabbed Raleigh (Daisy got blamed for it, the police department had taken a polaroid of the "suspect") and got scratched at Balboa Park.

Jim visited me twice a week for the 17 days I spent in maximum security at at the George Bailey detention center.

I wrote in "domestic partner" on the real estate license application. It was denied, for among other things, "Failed Family Relationships." F.U. Department of Real Estate.

Jim and I are quite a pair. Imagine if Martha Stewart and Joanne Embry were lesbians - we'd be the male version.

When I met Jim I had three ferrets, one being Gonzo. Gonzo must have been inbred - he was "special." He loved the sound of broken glass. Guess what Jim likes to collect? We made a deal, if the ferrets break anything in their room, too bad. Elsewhere in the house I have to pay for it.

If you call the San Diego Ferrets Anonymous office you are likely to hear Jim in the background yell "Clean this ferret shit up and use the disinfectant." I would think it is not an emergency and could wait. I'd clean it up before I went to bed.

Relationships require a lot of work. I'm afraid Jim has done all the work. He's dealt with me during my ups and downs and pays most of the household bills. While I feel very good about what I've done for ferrets, I've really sucked at making a living.

So for a couple of months at least - we have the option of getting married. Who could have imagined that?

I hope it is followed by the opportunity to have legal ferrets! I would love to take the ferrets out and about and maybe that isn't such a far off dream as it once seemed.

Ferrets Should Be Legal Because They're So Darn Cute!

This morning - after working on a client's website it is time to clean up after the ferrets and jump on the dreaded eliptical. The ferrets are downstairs playing and getting into trouble, and Shorty our Corgi accompanies me.

Shorty is the only small dog, the other dogs range from 55 to 100 lbs. He is the baby and he owns the place. He plays very rough with our Golden Retriever but is a little sissy when it comes to the ferrets.

Quito is the most recent ferret in the house. He has been passed around and I don't know how old he is. He lived as an only pet with an older person for 18 months before he came here. He was very shy and didn't know what to make of these gigantic dogs and other ferrets.

But he has blossomed. I've seen it in other ferrets and it is a joy to watch.

Shorty likes to play. He's a little devil chasing the ferrets and tormenting the cats (one of which is going to need anti-anxiety medication any day now).

Quito won't have it. If Shorty wants to start trouble, Quito will finish it. Not quite 2 lb Quito is determined to get the best of Shorty.
How I wish I had the video camera this morning, but these guys never cooperate in the presence of a camera. I hope someone can capture the fun at their house and enter our video contest. Then again, it might be shown on the DFG website - mean rotten ferret chases sweet little dog.

Looking for Help With the Upcoming YouTube Ferret Video Contest

As opposed to sending an email to the San Diego Ferrets Anonymous list I thought it would be less intrusive to post this request on the blog.

LegalizeFerrets.org is about to launch a YouTube Ferret Video Contest. As opposed to writing up the rules and putting them in CLIFFNotes and the webpages (http://www.ferretsanon.com/ and http://www.legalizeferrets.org/) I thought I'd make a video to announce the contest.

If anyone in the San Diego area would like to help - even just to hold the video camera I would appreciate it. If you have video editing skills so much the better!

Thank you,

Pat Wright

CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

(619) 303-0645

Thanks for the Scoop on the Poop

After all the comments about smelly ferret poop in my house I have lost the argument. Special thanks to Beverly for being the nail in the coffin. "See - even ferret people agree" - I was told; Marshall's Pet Diet leads to smelly ferret poop.

It also led to healthy, happy ferrets - but I relented and thought I'd try Pretty Pets Natural Gold. It's been a day and half and only Quito is eating it.

It was a great opportunity for an experiment. When I feed the dogs in the morning I have to spill a few kibble for the ferrets to eat (yeah, I also give my ferrets ice cream - live a little). Only Quito took the bait and ate what he thought was dog food.

Fausto - who loves dog food wouldn't touch it, and neither would Augie.

So I'm off to buy another bag of Marshall's and I'll try mixing it together.

I don't think my partner will be too worried about smell ferret poop when he gets home from Colorado on Monday.

Our dog Bear put a big hole in each couch last night - couldn't put two holes in one couch. Smelly ferret poop won't seem like that big of a problem.

In Trouble Over Smelly Ferret Poop

A new battle has commenced at my house over smelly ferret poop. And the Marshall ferret food is at the center of the issue.

I feed my ferrets Marshall Pet Foods. It was recommended by our vet, Dr. Jenkins at the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital.

About a year ago I switched from Totally Ferret. To be honest I stopped using Totally Ferret when they stopped answering our requests for sponsors for the annual Ferret Legalization meetings.

My ferrets are healthy and doing well on Marshalls.

But my partner who believes in beauty over function says the Marshall food causes the ferret poop to stink more. I can't smell the difference.

Ferret nutrition is a little controversial. A few purisits tell me ferrets were meant to eat mice. That ain't gonna happen, but I do want the best possible diet.

What do you think?

Pat Wright
http://www.ferretsanon.com/
http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Nevada or Not?

Enthusiasm for ferret legalization is picking up after a very successful booth at the Orange County Pet Expo. About 250 signed up and we are getting emails from people who saw the booth but didn't sign up.

It's been a hectic time with the Ferret Round Up but it is time to think ahead.

Every September LegalizeFerrets.org holds a "Legalize Ferrets Revival." This Septembers could be especially meaningful because we should be knee deep in our EIR.

I'd love to have a Revival where we could work with actual ferrets. Nevada comes to mind. So here is a poll - whaddya think?

Thank You, Mary & Ed

The Orange County Pet Expo started yesterday, April 11th and LegalizeFerrets.org has a booth. This is our second year at the Pet Expo and it is a little difficult to get organized because it comes so shortly after the Ferret Round Up. I didn't want to burden Lance with all the details as he was preparing to run for the President of Ferrets Anonymous.

But the booth is up, it looks great, and my thanks to Ed and Mary for helping me.

I relied on my Tom Tom to get me there Friday evening after work. The damn thing took me to the back streets of Irvine (I thought Irvine was all freeway). Luckily somone at a Union 76 station gave me directions. So arriving late and 3 hours on the road, I appreciate Mary and Ed's help and support. (Mary, I was only kidding about having the cocktail waiting.)

Last year over 300 people signed up for CLIFFNotes - hopefully we'll do even better this year.

My Strange Dream About Lance and Arnold

I was glad to hear about Lance winning the Presidency of Ferrets Anonymous. Last night I had a strange dream.

I dreamed that on his first day of president of Ferrets Anonymous Lance secured a meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger. I was in the background cleaning trash dumpsters (I wonder what Freud would say about that). He had one hour to make the case for Arnold to legalize ferrets.

After the hour was up Lance came out of the meeting to say Governor Schwarzenegger wouldn't repeal the ban.


Kind of reminded me of one my favorite late night movies:

Will Lance curse California with a plague of locusts? Will the Sacramento river turn red? Hopefully not - but I am expecting great things from our new President of Ferrets Anonymous.

Congratulatins Lance!

When Ferrets Smell Like Grandma

Friday is house cleaning day for me. Every other week or so the ferrets get a bath.

Do ferrets smell? If you keep their cage clean, launder the bedding frequently, I don't smell them.

I once did rescue an unneutered male ferret. The person called me and a pick up was arranged. He lived in a condo complex and that day all the house numbers were removed because they were re-stuccoing the building. I didn't need house numbers, it was easy to smell my way to his unit. That ferret went right to the vets for an emergency neutering.

But I love the Marshall Pet Products shampoo, conditioner and spritzer. I think they stole the formula for Channel #5.

That was my grandmother's favorite perfume - or at least I think so. Smells have powerful emotional impacts on people. Every other Friday or so I feel like my grandmother is back with us.

Thanks Marshall Pet Products. I also use your food. One suggestion though. I've bought the big bottles of your shampoo and I always find it a week after the first use, tipped over and contents all over the drawer. I think you need to redesign the bottle.

Afraid or Not?

I get an occasional email from California ferret owners afraid of being discovered. Do you let your neighbors know you have ferrets? The advantage is if one gets out the neighbors will know where to return it. The disadvantage is if you have bad neighbors.

The tragedy here is part of the fun is sharing ferrets. Ferrets, unlike cats, love new things. Like dogs they love to go places, meet new people, explore...

Back in 2000 I had nine armed agents break down my door to confiscate my ferrets (three San Diego police, three Fish and Game wardens and three Animal Control Officers) so I am very careful now. If I had ferrets, and I am not saying I do, they would be something like these guys:

From left to right are:

Augie - five years old. Bought him in a pet store while in Las Vegas for a wedding. He is a calm soul who when exiting his ferret nation cage likes to chew on the carpet.

Fausto - wandered into the Lemon Grove Rehabilitation Center. Largest ferret I've ever had, eats everything. Loves the dogs and prefers to be with them. He has some very odd dog behavior such as lying in the middle of the floor while the other ferrets go into the cabinets.

Quito - He was found by a co-worker's brother and they kept him for 18 months. Finally they decided ferrets weren't for them and since they said this on my birthday, and it was a terrible birthday (including getting laid off the next day) I kept him. He reminds me so much of a past ferret Raleigh, (the one I went to jail for) it is kind of spooky. Do they get reincarnated?

But of course these are just pretend ferrets.

My First Ferret Blog

The Internet has given us a lot of tools and advantages in our efforts to legalize ferrets in California. Since 2005 we've been publishing an ezine called CLIFFNotes - California Legalization Initiative For Ferrets (though no longer a ballot initiative, still a legalization initiative). If you aren't receiving it - sign up here.

Now it is time to try Blogging - something brand new to me.

The difference between a Blog and an ezine is that the Blog is meant to be more interactive, the ezine is meant to inform. Why can't we have both?

So wish me luck in trying to create a sucessful Blog just as we have created a sucessful ezine in CLIFFNotes.