Well known in Europe since before Ancient Greek times, Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was domesticated to kill Rats and Mice. She has been with people for such a long time that no one really knows what animal was Ferret’s ancestor. However, her closest relative is European Polecat (Mustela putorius), which many people believes is the wild Ferret. Whatever the case, Ferret is so tame that She cannot survive in the wild.
In Europe, people hunted Small Animals with Ferret. She loves tunnels and going in and out of the tiniest of holes. (Her slim agile body allows Her to get into places that other Animals cannot.) Ever curious, Ferret races down a tunnel to see what or who is there. Usually disturbing the resident Animal, She chases Him out to the waiting hunters. The expression, “to ferret out something” (which means uncovering something hidden) comes from Ferret’s love of investigating hidden places.
Because Ferret coughs so seldom, people believed that She was a cure for the whooping cough. People would pour milk into a saucer and have Ferret drink some of it. Then, the remainder of the milk was given as medicine to the sick person.
Today in the U.S., many people have Ferret as a pet. They like her antics and high energy. For them, Ferret is a wooly little clown who likes to chuckle while She tumbles across their floors.
Ferret teaches lasting friendship. Since the time of the Greeks, Ferret has been partners and friends of humans. Queen Elizabeth I of England had her royal portrait painted with her pet Ferret. People today, who have Ferret for a pet, love Her for her personality. Learn how to be a good friend from Ferret.
Important Ferret Teaching: Search for the Truth
“Remember, Ferret counsels, there are secrets that are not to be shared, and truths that are to be dispensed like food for the soul. Learn the difference.” Copyright: “Wolf Song”, Jeanette Spence and Lew Hartman
Important Ferret Teaching: Trust
“But there’s more to the enchantment potential of a ferret than high energy and a boundless capacity for fun. These little beasts exhibit a peculiarly high level of trust. Even among those that haven’t had such great experiences with people or life in general, ferret seems to think everyone is their friend and every situation is an opportunity for play.” Copyright: “Can You Love a Ferret?”, Dean Manning
“The Ermine Portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First” hangs in the Courtauld Institute of Art. The artist ennobled her Ferret by painting the pet with Ermine spots.
Note: Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) of North America is a relative of Ferret and European Polecat.
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Picture of "Ferret" copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper
July 25, 2007