Iz had toz goz

I stayed as long as I could.

Knowing your heart would shatter when I left.

You gave me your very best even to the end.

There wasn’t anything you could do but love me.

My short life I lived a lot.

I meet people both old and young and made them smile.

I helped you show the world that my kind isn’t as bad as the media portrays us.

I got to travel to so many states for different events.

My first was Bark World and my last HollyWoof

Know that I am near with only a thought.

The pain will ease in time but your love will always be strong.

While you might not want to dance now don’t forget how to Weasel War Dance in the sun.

Remember the good we did together and know that your love carried me on my next adventure.

Manny

Sponsorship

Getting sponsorship can be downright hard and very time consuming. I know this from experience but sometimes you can forget that even one small gesture can be sponsorship.

I’ve been able to attend the last two Blog Paws because someone paid for my registration and I was able to room with a fantastic person.

While Salt Lake Blog Paws was a great event, I ended up with a bad migraine that left me off balance and very much off my game. I forgot to thank my friends for their generosity and it wasn’t until I was called on the carpet when I got my first hotel room sponsorship from a different source. Something I plan to fix when I see my two friends this time in Washington D.C. in May.

I’ve heard that many people want to go to Blog Paws this year but don’t know how to swing the funds.

My advice is to decide what companies you would like to work with and how you benefit them.

What do you like about the company that you are willing to promote that will show them in a good light to others?

The biggest thing to remember is not what is in it for you but what does sponsoring you get them.

Have you worked with them before? If so, bring that up and tell them you would like to be their representative at Blog Paws or the event you want to go to.

Not all companies can afford to give you a full ride so break down what each part of the conference cost. Registration, Travel expense, Hotel are the big three and if one company can only pay for one part then see if another can pick up another part and see if you can help them out some with your own funds.

Check out the Blog Paws Community for rides and roomies.

If you are lucky enough to be sponsored make it a point to thank them in every post that deals with Blog Paws or whatever event they are sending you to.

Learn how to link to parts of their site to allow others to see why you like the company. Show the company what social media can do for them if they don’t have their own blog, Facebook, or twitter account you might become their correspondent on these platforms.

Expect to hear the word No a lot.

I have several emails that say that in both polite and hostile ways. If you get one that says not at this time return to that company later remind them who you are and what you bring to the table. Maybe all you will get is an offer to work with you only on your blog or do a guest post on the company’s blog it is a start but it will get you noticed.

If you do get a nasty no take a deep breath and walk away from your email and let the emotions out in some other form than writing back in anger.

The person on the other end may have gotten some rotten news and is taking it out on the first email they get. We don’t know what is going on in that person’s life at that moment it is just best to put that email away in a folder or the trash can and move on to the next company you want to work with.

Think outside the box while a tired and overused saying still has merit in the world of sponsorship.

What ideas have you used to get to an event?

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

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Ferret Misconception on TV

Disclaimer: I do not watch Two and Half Men and have not seen the episode so can only comment on the article on Examiner.com

When I first saw this post in the examiner I was curious as to how the show had angered the ferret community. I don’t watch the show as it has never appealed to me but now I am outraged at the fact that this show has gone out of its way to bring the ferret into the public’s eye in the most misleading way.

The more I read through the article the more concern I got about how much of the misconceptions were seen as truth to those that have no knowledge about ferret ownership.

This isn’t the first time the media has put bad lighting on the ferret but it needs to be balanced with the truth so that people can make the distinction between falsehoods used to make a show seem funny.

The first thing I want to point out is that it is illegal to own a ferret in California unless you have a wildlife permit. This is due to the California Wildlife and Game office that placed the ferret on their wildlife list in 1932 and has refused to remove it from the list by stating that if a ferret was to get loose and breed it would be a threat to the California bird population.

The fact is if an intact ferret did get loose in California, it is highly unlikely that it would find another ferret to breed with. Ferrets also do not do well in temperatures over 72 degrees and California is known for its high temperatures in the summer.

While ferrets are related to the mink and weasel, they don’t have the hunting knowledge that these two do and would become a larger animal’s meal.

Ferrets can get up to five pounds but do not maul people as shown in the show. The average weight for a ferret is between 2-3 pounds and is easily defended against.

I won’t say they don’t bite because ferrets do bite for many different reasons.

1. From being abused

2. From being Frightened

3. From trying to taste what they smell on your hands

4. Trying to get you to play

5. Because they are tired

6. Because they are sick

7. They are still learning what is acceptable

I travel with my ferrets and I am overly cautious about who gets near my ferrets. I make sure their vaccinations are up to date which include rabies and distemper.

I must point out that there have only been 14 cases of rabies reported from a ferret in the last 52 years. Rabies is fatal to ferrets as they often die from the virus before it can be spread to another pet or human.

While ferrets can be trained to come to a squeaky toy or a clicker, they can’t be trained to attack. As stated above I did not see the episode mentioned so I can’t tell you how they would have created the illusion that the ferrets were attacking.

I can tell you from experience that ferrets will jump at you with all four paws spread out in an attempt to get you play and they will climb up your pant legs because to them it is a tunnel that needs to be explored.

My other complaint is that one of the scenes has Rose placing the ferrets in a car. Talk about bad publicity for leaving a pet in a car with the windows rolled up.

Also, a ferret wouldn’t just lay around waiting for someone to open the door they would find a way into the dashboard and into the engine compartment and finally the ground.

As I have said before I travel with my ferrets and I educate people about ferrets wherever I go. In the three years that I have been attending Blog Paws, Bark World, and other pet events I have been able to dispel many of the misconceptions of ferrets along with showing people that ferrets can be an entertaining pet.

In fact, I was told by one attendee at the 2011 Blog Paws that they had been afraid of ferrets because of all the bad press they had seen but now wasn’t afraid of ferrets because of the time spent with my two boys and talking to me about them.

If Chuck Lorre wrote this episode and is connected to social media, I can only hope that he will realize how much harm the episode could have done to the ferret.

While I’ve never watched the show, I might have given it a try had he not put the ferret in such an evil light.

What I can say to the writers of Two and Half Men think about how much viewers believe from television before writing another script that places another animal species in the wrong light.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Happy New Years

 

     I am sure many of us feel or look like this at the moment. For those who were out celebrating I hope you all recover quickly. I have to work today not that I expect to be busy until after 3 when people’s hangovers are diminished. Please if you order pizza delivered think about the fact you can do so and please tip them a buck or two.

     Okay so what is 2011 bringing to Enlightened Ferret? I am not overly sure yet but I do know we will be attending Blog Paws 2011 and Bark World if we have to walk there.

I am working on setting up a small store to sell ferret themed magnets like this guy. Most are 3x3 inches. I haven’t worked out how much I am going to charge yet.

 

     I know a lot of people make New Year Resolutions for themselves but for myself I don’t personally have any but for my blog I have one that I have already blogged about and that is getting a 100 followers.  Who knows the 100th follower might get something special.

     I am going to try to do a lot better at posting this year. So what are your goals and wishes for 2011 and what would you like to learn about ferrets this year?

Have a Chittering good first day of the year,

Jo

It’s the End of the Year

     Wow what a wild ride this last year has been for Enlightened Ferret and me. I joined twitter in late 2009 but 2010 really showed me how much it could help promote my blog. Thanks to twitter I found new friends that were as dedicated to their animals as I am to ferrets.

     March/April saw Manny join my little band of ferrets.

     April also saw me go to the first ever pet conference Called Blog Paws East. What a great adventure that turned out to be. I was able to help a rescue because of winning a door prize. If you haven’t read what amazing work these two ladies do you should hop over to I Love Rescue Animals  and check them out.

     April also brought sadness as I had to make the heart wrenching decision for Lance.

     May saw James turn ten years old. A true senior when it comes to ferrets.’

     June: I supported a ferret rescue: Heart of Ohio Ferret Rescue and Association by doing a walk with James and Manny on the Allegheny trail even if I did get lost the ferrets had fun. We also raised money for them through a twitter party called the Outlaw Pawparty what fun that turned out to be.

     July saw James diagnosed with Insulinoma and he was put on Prednisone and because of his age surgery was ruled out. I had to learn how to do paw sticks on such a tiny paw to monitor his condition.

     August brought us to Atlanta, Ga for Bark World. We got to ride down in style thanks to GMC and BZTAT. James and Manny got a lot of attention and I got to talk a lot about ferret ownership with a lot of people.

     The boys and I weren’t able to make it to Blog Paws West in September but we did get to meet a new ferret friend because of trying to get there. We made plans with Snot Face Critter  to have a ferret invasion at Blog Paws 2011.

     The middle of November brought me Marcuz a splattered marked ferret who is deaf and is Manny’s new playmate.

     The end of November was hard as my beloved James passed away in my arms from his insulinoma. I had hoped he would have made it though the year and past Manny’s first birthday but it wasn’t to be. I miss him but I know that he did live a full life by living to be ten years old and filled with love.

     December we were Santa to Gibbs and sent a goodie loaded box to him along with a couple of presents for his hooman.  It was great to see all the Ferret Giving Tree ferrets opening their gifts.

     What will 2011 bring to us is mostly unknown but we will be attending Bark World again and Blog Paws 2011. There is also a goal in place to reach a 100 followers in 2011. What would you like to see or learn about from us in 2011? What are your plans for 2011?

Have a Chittering good day and we will see you in 2011!

Jo

Questions and other information

 

     I’ve been absent from my blog for some time. The reasons are varied but the biggest being I have no idea where to go. I started this blog to enlighten people about the ownership of ferrets. I am glad for followers I have earned. I have no idea if anything I have written has made an impact or not.

     I’ve met some really great people because of my presence on my blog and on twitter. I was able to attend two different conferences that were designed around the pet community. I was the only ferret person at both. Blogpaws brought me in contact with two very special ladies outside of the great founders of Blog Paws. They made me realize that it just takes one person to make a difference in this sometimes cruel world. I can only hope I make an impression like they did on me.

     August found me riding down to Atlanta, GA in a GMC Terrain with a great animal artist and my two boys. What an adventure that turned into. I barely made it through my public speaking class in college and this trip showed me that I could speak in public just as long as it involved talking about my ferrets. I am still impressed with the Terrain and the representatives that made a point of finding out about ferrets so they could get the right treats for the unique riders.

     BarkWorld proved to be informative beyond the sessions. James and Manny showed a lot of people that ferrets and dogs could get along as long as the introductions were done in a controlled and safe manner. The people of Atlanta were inquisitive about my ferrets and asked a lot of questions including several sources I would have never thought would ask. Atlanta proved to be good for James who had been diagnosed in July with insulinoma. He slept most of the conference but when he was awake he did show that he still had some spunk for a senior.

     BarkWorld brought me into contact with a wonderful woman named Peggy Johnson more to come on our association.

     October brought a check up for James and with some relief he has gained weight and seems to be holding his own with the insulinoma. His spleen is still enlarging and I can only hope it slows down.

     November brings NanoWriMo and a vet appointment. For those that don’t know about NanoWriMo it is a challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I’ve done this for the last 5 years and only had one time I didn’t make the goal. This year instead of writing fiction I am going to try my hand at non-fiction and will be dealing with pets.

     Manny will be having a wellness checkup and I’ll be discussing the possibility of getting him certified as a therapy pet. I’d like to have James certified but with him having insulinoma it may disqualify him.

     So what do you the reader want to know about ferrets? What do you think you know about them? There are no dumb questions only ones that won’t be answered are the ones not asked.

Have a Chittering Day,

Jo

Manny’s Shoe Obsession

 

 

This was the last day of Bark World Expo and Manny was bored so I let him have my shoe. Kept him busy for a while. Enjoy.

 

Keep on Chittering

Jo

Bark World Expo

     What an amazing event Bark World was. The sessions were wonderful and so were the participants. While it was geared more towards dog owners, businesses, and bloggers, the event was informational for all other types of owners, businesses, and bloggers.

     I can’t say enough about GMC’s representatives and how caring they were. Like many people who have never dealt with ferrets they didn’t know what kind of treats to get James and Manny but they took the time to find out and then went to the local pet store to get a bag of bandit treats. James loves his bandit treats.

     James and Manny were a big hit not just with the people attending Bark World but also with the people of Atlanta. Who asked a lot of questions about James and Manny and ferrets in general. I also clear up many misconceptions about ferrets as well.

     One of the best parts of Bark World was making new friends and the informal session we all had at the coffee shop. Being able to have some things explained in a different way than perhaps had been told to us in one of the sessions and being able to know about a program that might not have been talked about.

     Bark World also reminded me that not every place is ferret safe but thank fully did not end in a tragedy.

     This was the first big trip that I took James and Manny on. It showed me that there is no such thing as packing light when it comes to ferrets but it also let me have my fur friends with me. Both seemed to enjoy the attention but at the end of the expo James showed me just how tired he was by climbing into my suitcase.

 

 

 

 

 

     Next adventure happens…

Possibilities:

Blog Paws West Sept 9-11 Denver, CO

Happy Paws Pet Expo Nov 13-14 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Pet Writing Convention Feb 12 2011

     The last two would be without James and Manny in attendance.

Have a Chittering day,

Jo

Ferret Education 101

     Manny reminded me today why a pet owner needs to be alert at all times when outside of their own domain. It has been a while since I have had to ferret-proof because I hadn’t traveled much with my ferrets until I went to the Bark World Expo.

I got my ferrets a carrier that would be safe and secure for the ride down to Georgia in the GMC Terrain but forgot about having to ferret- proof the hotel rooms we would be staying in this could have been a fatal mistake but thankfully it wasn’t and reminded me that new places have to be checked and rechecked daily.

Can you spot the problem spots in these pictures?

    

     If you have been following my posts you know that a ferret is a very curious creature and can get into mischief wherever they are.

1. While it doesn’t appear to be any problem spots in this picture. The desk at the end of the hall has a lot of stuff a ferret would love to get and hide some where.

2. There is no door knob on the door and it is locked there is enough room at the bottom for a ferret to slip under. I have no idea what is in that room.

3. The kitchen area. Lots of problems here. The space under and around the refrigerator. The same problem with the stove.

4. The dishwasher is the reason for this post. Most have a vented plate that goes over the 4 inch high space that houses the wires and motor for the dishwasher. Manny decided that he had to check out all those nifty spaces under there. I was lucky that he didn’t get his collar caught and that he didn’t go into any of the smaller spaces. I got him to come out with tapping his food bowl on the floor near the opening.

5. There is room under the television to get to the wires and some ferrets like to chew on wires and others like to climb.

6. Lovely view but it is six stories up and ferrets have bad depth perception.

7. May not look like there is any problems here. But if you lift the edge of the blankets there is no baseboards and the bottom of the mattresses are exposed. Great place for a ferret to try to use as a hidey-hole.

8. The mirror isn’t attached to the wall and could easily be moved.

9. An easily opened closet door leads to exploration of any thing that is in there. This could lead to ingestion of something that could be fatal.

10. The bathroom can have many dangers for ferrets. The most obvious is the toilet.

11. The trash can. Anything upright must be tipped over it is a ferret rule. Pick the can up and place on the back of the toilet. You’ll hear it fall and can immediately see what your ferret(s) are into.

12. The shower may seem like the least likely place a ferret can get into but the one in my hotel room swings both ways and the soap and shampoo bottles are placed on the floor. Also don’t want my boys drinking from the drain.

13. The bathtub. Once in they can’t get out and if you have just gotten out of the bath and not let the water out…

     Bark World Expo has been educational for me in a number of ways but I was influenced the most by my ferrets in a way that won’t easily be forgotten.

     How many of you have been educated by your pet?

Keep on Chittering,

Jo

Team PawsArt on the road

     We arrived in front of BZTat stuidos at 9:30am James and Manny were glad to get out of their carrier for a bit. James was a little upset that he couldn’t get into the neat looking flowerpots.

     Both boys noses were in over time with the smells of Canton, OH. James was ready to get back in his carrier after 10 minutes but Manny was happy to keep on checking out the sidewalk while we finished loading up the GMC.

After pictures were taken of Team PawsArt we made a stop to check out the Downtown Canton Cat Mural  

     We left Canton around 10:15 headed south on hwy 30. So far the GMC Terrain is a comfortable ride and one nice feature that I like is the fact that the seat is not so high that a short person has to jump in or out of the vehicle.

     One thing that I personally don’t like is the head rest but that isn’t just with the GMC Terrain but most new vehicles. It is angled forward so I am forced to have my chin almost on my chest. I am sure that the designers of the headrests must have been over 5 foot tall.

     We used the OnStar® to set our trip route that was kind of cool. Had to check the owner manual to reset the trip meter and it is kind of vague on how to reset or the fact you have to hold the button until it beeps at you.

    12:00pm Pit stop in Delaware, OH to take a bathroom break and get reserve a hotel room for tonight.Found one to fit my budget.

     12:30 Back on the road and used OnStar® again to get to hotel have about 8 hrs to get there. James and Manny had a Greenies® treat each and have gone back to sleep. They are being so good for their first long trip.

      Wow was a day sorry the post seems incomplete the battery died in the netbook and I didn’t get to the hotel until like 10:30 tonight. Both James and Manny are having a blast in their little corner of the room. Although both of them are proveing that they can get out if they really want to. Bath time is in just a little bit.

Here are some pictures from along the way: If you saw BZTAT’s Pic of the Truck this is the horse farm that was behind it. There had been an accident and the line of traffic was like 5 miles long and was getting longer.

Finally Tennessee.This is what the control panel where the radio is looks like at night. It’s a bit creepy.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep on Chittering

Jo

Disclaimer: All opinions about the GMC Terrain are mine alone. James, Manny, and I would like to thank GMC for letting have such a cool ride to BarkWorld.

Headed to Bark World Expo

     It’s hard to believe that next week at this time we will be should be at Bark World thanks to GMC offered up 15 GMC Terrains for people to carpool down to Atlanta.

     Our friend Brewski Butt’s mom was one of the chosen 15 and we are hopping a ride down with her along with some of her really cool art.

     With us going on our first real road trip it meant redefining the boys travel kit. Reducing it from a 5-gallon tote to a backpack.

     The main reason was space but having things closer to where their carrier in case James has an insulinoma episode would be a bonus.

     The backpack I chose to use is a JanSport® because it was what I used to carry all my college books in and it’s still in great condition.

 

     In the front pocket is going to be the boy’s papers.

     These papers contain the facts that someone would need if something happened to me. James and Manny each have a sheet inside a plastic sleeve. The information includes but not limited to:

1. Name and birth date if known
2. Vet name and number
3. Who to contact in case of emergency
4. A recent picture of each ferret (I’d split this one in half)
5. Medication: Name, How much and when.
6. Reason for the medication
7. Any quirks that might seem unusual to someone
8. Likes and dislikes
9. Foods feed and the feeding schedule
10. Litter used
11. Sleeping arrangements

     I am sure I’ve forgotten some things for this list but as James Insulinoma progresses his sheet will get longer. At the top of his sheet will be a large red cross like you see on med alert bracelets but inside it will be the vet caduceus.

     The other items inside the pocket will be James glucose meter and his preloaded Nutri Cal syringe. The instructions for both will also be on his sheet. Extra batteries labeled about their use for the crate fan that will be on their new carrier.

     The main space will hold the grooming case, large baggies labeled with the name of the food and whose it is. Two large baggies filled with Feline Pine® litter, bottled water, and travel toys, two leashes and harnesses sets and a container for James used needles called a sharps container. Again this is just a short list and it may grow longer but by using the backpack I can’t keep adding things because I think James and Manny may need it.

I want my little guys to be comfortable but I also want to be able to enjoy our trip without it being a stressor to either of us.

Keep on Chittering,

Jo