Speaking in Public

     I would have never guessed that two small furry little creatures would help me learn how to have conversations with people I just met. I am for the most part a shy individual that is until it comes to my ferrets then I am a chatterbox.

     It didn’t hit home until today that I can give speeches without panicking like I did in speech class. I have been taking my boys on outings for a while now to get them used to traveling in a vehicle and today’s adventure included the local Laundromat. I left them in their carrier while I put my small load of pet laundry into the washing machine and then it was time for them to wander around on their leashes.

     Our Laundromat has a four bay car wash attached to it so of course the boys had to go see what was in each of the bays. Walking by another car we heard a small voice scream. “Looky at those doggies. Doggies come here please.”

      Neither parent wanted us to approach and told the young boy “Those aren’t doggies. We don’t know what they are. They look mean.” Needless to say we made a point to stay away from them while they were finishing their laundry.

     I finished up our own laundry and put it in the car and as I was getting ready to pick up my boys from the sidewalk two men got out and started cooing over my boys.

      Alan and Mark were very interested in James and Manny and asked a lot of questions. Alan was from Texas and Mark from Tennessee and enjoyed James and Manny’s attention for the moment or two they had it.

     Mark finally had to go get his camera because he couldn’t believe how cute ferrets were. Took a Greenie each for them to pose for the camera.

     Alan knew a little about them that made it nice to talk to someone about them. I gave them my business card and hopefully they will stop by our little blog and say Hi.

     I can only hope that I Enlightened Alan and Mark a little more about ferrets and what these cute little fur balls are like.

Jo

P.S. We are going to Bark World Expo August 20-22. This time James and Manny will be with me.

Be the Change for Animals : Flying Ferrets

ac·tiv·ist –noun

1. an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, esp. a political cause.

–adjective

2. of or pertaining to activism or activists: an activist organization for environmental concern.

3. advocating or opposing a cause or issue vigorously, esp. a political cause: Activist opponents of the President picketed the White House.

     Until this last week I didn’t see myself as an activist but someone that helped further a cause that was already started.

     That changed when I tried to find an airline that would allow my two ferrets to travel with me. What a surprise I got. I was told that they could fly but in the cargo hold of the plane and each sent me to the section of their websites that stated what animals could fly in the cabin with their owners.

     Almost every one of the airlines I contacted policy pages stated “In cabin pets allowed” are dogs, cats, birds, and guinea pigs and in some cases rabbits. There are pet carrier requirements that needed to be met but each and every time I asked about ferrets I was told they weren’t allowed in the cabin and was not given any reason why.

      I find it offensive that my two sweet boys are suppose to be locked in a dark box and tossed into the roaring abyss called the cargo hold because someone decided that these are evil little creatures. I might as well tossed James and Manny into the trunk of the car the way most airlines are thinking it would be the same result.

     Do the powers that be at these airlines think they are going to get loose and become terrifying creatures? Anyone that has read my blog knows that yes they have their quirks but ferrets can travel well if their owners set things up right.

     I am sure many would say that us ferret owners probably complained about the pet fee for the right to fly with our pets. I will say that some pet fees seem a bit excessive but pet owners are willing to pay for their pets in most cases.

     So my mission is now is to get at least two other airlines to change their policies either back to what it was or to allow ferrets in the cabin. I hope that you will help by writing letters to your choice of airlines from the short list below.

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001

Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647

Continental Airlines
P.O. Box 4607
Houston, Texas 77210-4607
United States

US Airways

Corporate headquarters:
111 W. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281

     After all the disappointments I had received I was happily surprised when I contacted Frontier Air and found out that they allow ferrets in the cabin and their pet fee was reasonable.

     The best part was they fly out of my closest airport and to the places I want to go in the coming months.

     I hope that these other airlines follow suit and begin allowing us misunderstood ferret owners to fly with our critters in the cabin.

     Opinions, comments, and statements are welcomed

Jo

Review of Young Again Ferret Food

      On May 5^th I received a free bag of Young Again Ferret food from Young Again Pet Foods.

     When I was asked if I would like to receive a bag I expected a small trial size bag that would maybe hold enough for three days of feeding. What a surprise it was to receive a full size bag of food.

     Because Manny has a warranty on him I have to feed him a “Named” food for a year.

     James on the other paw got to do the taste test of the new food. At first I had to mix the food he had been eating with the Young Again Ferret food for a couple of days so it didn’t upset his tummy.

     The first couple of days James ignored the tiny pellets because they weren’t molded into the shapes he was used to. During that time frame I also used the pellets as treats for when he was playing outside his cage. I am sure there is a mound of Young Again Ferret food in one of his hidey-holes but it did do the trick by the third day he was eating both foods.

     The first time James shed he lost most of his black and gray coloring leaving him to look like Dark Eyed White (DEW) when in fact he was considered a silver mitt. James now has color returning to his fur.

James has been eating this food for just over two months now and can I see more differences than just his color returning. His eyes are alert and sparkling. His fur is a lot softer than it has been in a long time.

Their site states that in a few short weeks you will see these differences in your ferret:

· Soft, luxurious fur

· Promotes proper weight management

· Helps promote fat loss and increases muscle density

· Less waste in the litter box

· More sociable behavior

· More Positive energy

· Helps prevent urinary bladder and kidney disease

· Helps prevent insulinoma and diabetes mellitus.

· Ferrets love the taste so it is easily adapted

     Out of their list I have seen a difference in James fur, his weight has gone up a little bit and he has bulked up in his muscles. I am changing the litter box less and the odor isn’t as bad as it has been. James has always been sociable so I can’t really comment on that area but he does have more energy than most 10 year olds I have seen.

     While Manny isn’t suppose to get any other food but the one recommend for him it hasn’t stopped him from sneaking a nibble or two of James food. He really likes it also.

     The food has shown some great improvements in James there are some down points to it.

1. It isn’t’ available in stores which adds to the cost of a bag of food.
2. The zip lock closer doesn’t always stay closed and has lead to some spills. (Not that Trixie minded)
3. It only comes in 8lb bags. For many this is the perfect size but for others it may not be.

     These may seem like petty down points but ferret food is expensive to being with and sometimes an extra shipping charge takes to big of a bite out a person’s budget.

     I do like the fact they do offer you two different ways of getting free shipping but until I know how long it will take James to eat a bag of food the bottomless bag option is out of the question. At the moment we aren’t even half way through the bag.

     Out of a paw rating of one to five we give Young Again Ferret Food a Four paw rating.

Be sure to check out Young Again Pet Foods and tell them Enlightened Ferret sent ya.

 

Jo

Woozel Wisdom

 

     Most know that the East Coast is experiencing a heat wave. The heat affects more than the human population it also affects animals.

     I have learned a lot from watching what James, Manny, and Trixie do during this heat wave.

      During the hottest part of the day they sleep.

     James sleeps in his roller ball bed and Manny burrows into his litter box. Trixie usually is hogging the fan.

     When it has finally cooled off some we might go outside depending on the humidity at the time. I know if it is too high because the boys will just lay down in the grass and let their noses go to work.

   

     They also don’t eat as much as they do in the winter. James and Manny tend to save most of their food until later in the evening but I have to keep an eye on their water dishes as they do drink more.

     James and Manny miss going out on adventures in the car but with the temperatures around 95+ outside I don’t want to expose them to the organ cooking heat of the car. Bad enough I have to get into it to go places.

      While you are trying to cool down be sure to think about your furry friend and how hot they maybe in this heat. Even the shade isn’t that cool and only gives some protection from the sun.

 

Jo

Blog Winner and 5 questions

     This should have been up earlier but due to technical difficulties beyond our control it is late.

     The winner of the comment contest here on Enlightened Ferret is Mr.. Pip a new follower. Please email us at enlightenedferret@hotmail.com so we can get mailing address for you Surprise gift pack and congrats in winning.

   ( Thank you great celeb Puppy a Guinea Pig for gracing our blog with your presence.)

     Pumpkinpuddy asked us these five questions:

1. Do you get along with your sisfurs and/or brofurs

James:I guess I get along with my fur siblings. I know I can make Trixie the bloodhound back away from me when I want. I try to ignore Manny.

Manny: I like to play with anyone that will play with me.

2. What’s best about the city you live in?

James: We don’t really live in a city we live in the boonies where there are lots of trees and tall grass. Hooman likes to go outside at night and look at the twinkling lights in the sky.

3. What is your favorite color?

James: Don’t really have a favorite color.

Manny: I like red and green.

4. Who is your favorite human not in your family and why?

Wez don’t know any hoomans outside of our family yet.

5. What are your bestest games to play?

James: Dead ferret sleep, playing in a plastic bag, and digging  in a box of starch peanuts.

Manny: Catch the mouse, seeing how high I can leap, and zooming around James.

     Now for our 5 questions.

1. Do you sleep with the light on or off ?

2.What was the biggest mess you have made?(not potty kind)

3. What is your favorite hooman word?

4. What part of your body do you groom first?

5. What is your favorite activity?

 

These go to:

Puppy a Guinea Pig

Your Daily Cute

Mr.. Pip

Two Little Cavilers

Lilly’s Lounge

 

 

Jo

James and Manny