For All The Stinkers on Your List
...the perfect gift.
I met a woman named Diane in New Mexico. She's had Flower since she (the skunk) was one day old. Flower's pretty imprinted on people, and unreleasable, so she's the ideal education skunk for The Wildlife Center. Ooh, I'm jealous. I've always wanted to raise a skunk or two.
Diane just sent me some pictures of Flower checking out Letters from Eden. Just a reminder for all you folks looking for that perfect after-Christmas, anytime gift...I'll sign it for you.
This time last year I was taking garden cartloads of boxed books to the Whipple post office. And I wondered why I had no time to Christmas shop or wrap presents or do anything but paddle madly to stay afloat...I'm thrilled not to be handling a holiday rush on book sales. Almost 800 individually-signed and boxed copies later, I've had my fill of fulfillment for awhile.Just got in from recording three more NPR commentaries in Athens, and leisurely shopping for stocking stuffers. What a blast. I never do stuff like that. Had a nice Reuben at a diner and did some people watching; saw a college girl in a long black trenchcoat, rainbow scarf, Raggedy Ann striped tights and dreadlocks skip across the street. That was cool, something I don't get to see every day. I used to skip, too, when I wasn't rolling along on red Krypto skatewheels.
Thanks for the pictures of sweet Flower, Diane. You made my day. Mustelids rule!
Labels: Letters from Eden, striped skunk
posted by Julie Zickefoose @ 5:42 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
This post has been removed by the author.
Oh, I just sent a message that was eaten by blogger--arrrgghh!! So, sorry if it is a repeat.
Yes, Christmas shopping was MUCH harder this year without your book send everyone (hint, hint) Maybe for Christmas 2009? I am realistic after all.
I do think skunks are cool although I've not gotten close to a wild or tame one. I also like the smell of skunk, or at least the waff of one driving through a wooded area.
I love the smell of skunk in the morning.
This is so funny seeing the pet skunk! I bet he/she can be a little stinker sometimes!
I know they are cute especially when they are pets but peeeewwwww. I just hates it when my dog gets sprayed. UGH!
Hey Julie--
Here's a man-comment ;-)
Though I wholeheartedly agree that mustelids rule; I believe the skunks have been cast out of the family--aren't they mephitids now?
I think skunks got voted off weasel island sometime in the last year or two.
Anyhow, technical quibble; cool post.
XXXOOO,
Jeff
Man, I love stink minks. Since you're in the black and white mode, howsa bout another Baker fix?
Dr. Downer here. I realize Flower is an education skunk, but I worry about this post, since it might encourage those who think it is cool to have a pet skunk. I personally give this notion a big "thumbs down."
I think Zick's comment "I've always wanted to raise a skunk or two" meant, "raise to rehabilitate and release," not raise to keep as a pet.
I'll bet that a big part of Flower's educational role is discussing why we don't want to make pets out of wild animals like skunks and raccoons. One big reason is rabies - these critters are major carriers of that deadly virus. You should not vaccinate them with dog and cat vaccines (although I know vets who do) because the vaccine can convert to active disease in them.
Pet skunks were popular in one practice where I did some relief work. These animals were usually in poor condition (mostly too fat) because of inappropriate diet and too little exercise.
For me, the biggest reason not to keep a pet skunk is philosophical. Wild animals belong in the wild. We don't need to try to domesticate them and turn them into pets. I believe there arenow skunk breeders who are busy churning out mass-produced skunks for the pet market, just like the ferret factories do. They have a shorter than normal life span and multiple health issues.
Sorry for the lecture. I will now step off my soapbox and return you to your regularly scheduled blog.
~Kathi
I can remember watching our skunk every evening, when I was a child.
She lived under our garage (in suburbia) and would walk a path exactly next to the side of our house, especially to avoid having to walk through the deep snow in winter. If I stood in the cellar at the basement window, I could watch her walk past--just a pane of glass between us.
I've also heard of "pet skunks" and never understood it - perhaps because I've never encountered one in the wild or otherwise, so thanks, Katdoc, for the update.
It's good you had some time to slow down, shop, and watch the people go by, Julie. It's one of my favorite pastimes, on the beach boardwalk, or anywhere.
Now, where's the Chet fix?
Wow. You never know what you're going to learn here!! Mephitids, check. Thanks, El Jefe. Miss you!
And KatDoc, I'm often guilty of assuming people know exactly what I mean, that they know that "raise a skunk or two" means strictly in an orphan situation, wildlife rehab sense. I forget that anybody could wander in here and think Flower is just a household pet when she's a working education skunk affiliated with the Wildlife Center. It's sickening, but not surprising, that skunks are being captive-bred and offered for sale. Blaaa. The same awful thing is happening to flying squirrels. You can order them on the Net, too.
I did have a nice relationship with a wild skunk that lasted a couple of years, when the kids were little. We understood each other, and he loved my pot roast. I miss Stanky.
People make pets of skunks and (gulp) flying squirrels? What a wretched world this can be sometimes! I'm bummed.
Whenever I see a skunk, I immediately think "rabid!" and clear the area. Luckily, we're not frequented by them. I hate that smell!
Get your daily hike in blood pressure here:
http://www.usfreeads.com/
_pets-and-animals/exotics.asp
Want a serval? A bobcat? A lynx? Why stop at skunks and flying squirrels?
What is WRONG with people? This kind of crap should have died with the '70's, along with muttonchop sideburns. When you could have a Boston terrier, why in the blue blazes would you want a lynx?
OK. Back to pre-Christmas housecleaning. Good to do with a big ol' mad on.
I have big problems with the trafficking in exotic species...and, in some cases in pets, when the shelters are packed with perfectly good and deserving (often pure-bred) cats and dogs. But responsible breeders like Chet's make me think twice about my prejudices.
My friend Patty raised a litter of orphaned skunks a few years ago; the dad was dead in the road, and the mother, mortally wounded, was found feet from the burrow. The babies were in a little clump by the side of the road. After bottle feeding, they were moved into an outdoor enclosure close to the house, and when they dug themselves out, were given another shelter farther away. A few days later (they were about six weeks old then), they dug out, and went off to seek their fortunes. Their claws, even as tiny kits (or whatever it is one calls baby skunks), were obviously meant for digging.
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