Two things strike me. First, the names of males and females - Jills are the girls, and Hobs are the boys. In the olden days, Hob was the name for a ploughman. Females of any type were often referred to generally as "Jill" (a bit like "Jane Doe") or sometimes "Joan." Males were often referred to generally as "John" or "Jack" So these were seen as little peasants.
The second thing is how cute and lovable the ferrets look in their picture. Polecats are not in general considered to be very attractive little beasts, savage and smelly, but you can see that whoever bred them really liked them and looking at their photos, it's hard not to like them too. .
They certainly do look cute and local to me - good job you didn't print the phone number or I might have been tempted! Seriously though I wonder if polecat type ferrets would be as loveable as they look in the pics expecially when they grew to adults. Are you going to get a pair?!
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny:
ReplyDeleteSeen from a distance, and in a photograph, then possibly we might be tempted to go along with what you say here about these being 'cute and lovable' but that, we feel, is about as far as we are prepared to go on this occasion!!
They look indeed loveable and cute, and if someone knows how to handle them, they may even make good pets - but essentially, they are wild beasts, little predators, and their capacity to act as pets are limited. What I fear with such adverts from "hobby breeders" is that the wrong people buy the animals, not really knowing the proper care the hobs and jills require, and how much time and money is actually needed in having any pet, let alone such a special one. The result are only too often mistreated animals, unhappy owners and, in the end, getting rid of them by abandoning them somewhere. Sorry - I do not want to imply the person who placed the ad didn't know what they were doing, I just feel very strongly about animals kept as pets, maybe because they are "fashionable" (like Jack Russel terriers still are in Germany, sadly!) and/or cute.
ReplyDelete@librRian I do agree and will add a bit onto the post to make it clearer. These animals are I am sure incapable of being house pets
ReplyDeleteI know many people that have them as house pets. They are cute but stinky and get into too much trouble. Definately not for me!
ReplyDeleteI've been in a couple homes with ferrets for house pets and the homes actually didn't smell bad. I must admit, however, that most homes with them are, uhmm, "fragrant." They are adorable, affectionate, and make sweet pets, but I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteHeh. Misleading advertising much? Report them to the ASA!! I think anyone who has had pets will know just how hard they are to maintain, never mind buying a breed known for their absolute lunacy!
ReplyDeleteI like ferrets ^.^ They're so funny and fast! But I'd never have such pet. It would ruin everything I own and kill birds that come to my feeder. And I prefer vegetarian animals for home anyway :)
ReplyDeletehmmm...thanks for the warning...i was almost thinking of wishing to have these as pets :)
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of people who have them as pets in the United States. They are always into everything and a bit too fragrant for me, but I have met adult ferrets who are just as sweet as can be. The owner has to realize that they are wild animals, though.
ReplyDeleteA lot of metropolitan areas have made it illegal to sell wild animals like ferrets, skunks, alligators, and caimans. Good move, if you ask me. They are wild animals even if they have been bred in captivity and people who don't know how to take care of them or raise them just let them go!
As far as I see the youtube video clips of ferret, they look well-tamed and quite adorable as a pet. However, I quite agree with Librarian. It takes responsibility,love and patience and training to be good petowners.
ReplyDeleteIn return, we can get pleasures and happiness living with them.
I agree with Ekaterina. When we buy a pet, we must keep it in mind that he/she is going to be our family member and we must be responsible for their life till the end without discarding when he/she becomes out of hand.
ReplyDeleteRecently I have commenting trouble. Message disappear when I comment to those who use this type of comment form, while I can post comments to those who use "pop-up window" form. It's above my head. I hope this comment be successful.
Yoko
Ferrets? Do they catch rabbit??
ReplyDeleteIf yes I might consider adopting those 2 then as my gardens is invaded with nasty carrot eaters who snack on my flowers! :))
There's a buyer for everything!
My uncle had ferrets to go 'rabbitin' ' but he never suggested they were pets.
ReplyDeleteHope life settles down soon.
Isabel x
They are cute to look at but I definitely won't keep them as pets myself too.
ReplyDeleteHope things are working out.
ReplyDeleteThat ferret looks so beguiling... lol!!