Written by Today we celebrate National Ferret Day, a mischeivous little mammal that is in the same family as the weasel. This became an official National Day in 2014 through the efforts Carol Roche from New York, who had purchased her first ferret on Craig’s List four years before. She fell in the love with the creatures, became a ferret rescuer, and set about making the day, which had already been casually observed for two decades, an official observance. Don’t expect any school closings or anything, but at least it’s now considered an official day to celebrate.
The Latin name for ferret is Mustela putorius furo and translates to “smelly little thief.” Though a seemingly insulting name, it’s somewhat accurate. Their cute little faces can often smell a little skunky due to some unfortunately placed musk glands and stealing and hiding objects is part of their natural instinct. A group of ferrets is known as a “business” and for years their main business was helping hunters track down rabbits. Today, ferrets have become popular as a trendy pet, but they have actually been domesticated for over 2500 years.
Though not legal to own as a pet in California, Hawaii, and New York City, ferrets have still managed to hit the top 10 lists of most popular pets in the United States. They can actually be very affectionate and enjoy playing with their human parents. Though they do get bored easily and can lose focus, like most children these days, so it’s best to limit training to a single task and for just short periods at a time. Unlike children, ferrets will happily use a litter box, but will also just as happily chew through your power cords, so they require constant adult supervision.
In some places, a bizarre endurance sport exists called ferret-legging, where participants drop a live ferret down their pants for as long as they can stand it. Obviously the ferret is pretty justifiably pissed about this and will begin clawing its way out. The winner is the idiot who can keep the ferret in his pants the longest and the world record for this senseless studity is apparently five hours and thirty minutes. Today, however, is a day to celebrate ferrets by simply learning more about them and hopefully resisting the disturbing urge to drop them down your trousers.
Join me any and all days you like during April by celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! Tag your image #doodlewashaday and I’ll feature everyone who played along on doodlewash.com at the end of the month!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
A ferret down the pants- gives a new meaning to something getting “ferreted out.” Your ferret is so cute! I always remember them from that 80’s movie The Beastmaster, and just discovered that it is available for viewing in its entirety on YouTube…LOL. First comment I saw on there “This was one of my favorite, movies as a kid. Loved the ferret’s.” Great post Charlie!
Haha! Yeah…that’s a whole new meaning to that term! Thanks Jessica! 😃💕 Oh wow…I never saw The Beastmaster, but now I totally think I need too!! Haha!! Too funny!
So adorable. I love your art!
Awww thanks so much Cindy!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you like my doodlewashes!!
Very cute ferret!
Thanks Cynthia! 😃💕 Glad you liked him!
Love it – yours is adorable! Now I know a lot more about them too – knew I could count on you for the research!
Hehe…yeah…I’ve gotten pretty good at “research”… or as I like to think of it “finding the weirdest bits” lol Thanks!! 😃 Though your ferret was super awesome and filled a whole spread of a sketchbook!! Loved it!
Your ferret looks inquisitive and friendly enough, but he needs to stay on the outside of one’s clothing! Stupid is right. I toasted your little painting at dinner and had a proper celebration 🍷 Can’t wait to see what your new theme brings!
Awww so happy I could join your for dinner and a glass of wine, Carol!! 😃💕hehe… Glad you liked this one!
Awwwe…major cuteness <3
Hehe… Thanks Eric!! ❤️😃Glad ya liked him!
Funny facts on ferrets, my friend! Hehe! 😃 Awesome doodlewash, Charlie! 💕🎨😄👍
Thanks Jill!! 💕😃Yeah, didn’t expect to find something about people putting them down their pants. I’m truly learning something new every day!! Lol 😊😉🎨
I had a feeling when I checked on the calendar that Mr Ferret might find his way to your heart, Charles! You’ve certainly caught the more cute and charming and less smelly and nippy side of the ferret. I do recall this legging business – not tried it, though! How laughably stupid (British) indeed.
Awww thanks Jacob!! Yeah…there’s some weird stuff that goes on across the pond apparently. Be careful over there! Lol And so thrilled you joined in… though it’s also Peanut Butter and Jelly Day… who the heck could resist a ferret?! Hehe They’re cute! But shouldn’t be put down your trousers. 😊
Haha! I’ll be careful to avoid… the people who do it more than the actual creatures, of course. I saw that too! How wonderfully odd! I don’t think I’ve ever even tried peanut butter with or without jelly – bit of a confession, there. But obviously a ferret beats it any day of the week/month regardless! And yours is adorable!
Awww thanks! But wait… never had peanut butter? Another thing added to your list!😉
Haha, I expected this would go down badly. Fiiine – I’ll have some peanut butter sandwiches while watching, er, whatever all those films were. Basically every Star Wars is all I recall, but that will probably cover the rest of the year anyway.
Excellent, I shall count on this happening precisely as you described. 😉👍🏻
what an adorable little nose! Happy National Ferret Day Charlie O!
Thanks Jodi!! ❤️😃 Hope you’ve had an amazing Ferret Day! Now there’s something I never thought I’d say ever… 😊
Squeee! What a cutie-pie! And your ferret, too…LOL! 😉💙 I was telling Jacob that I had a friend who owned ferrets and she tried to get me to write a book with her about ferrets. I’m more interested in saving the black-footed ones than owning one though. 😊
Thanks Teresa!! 💕😃The black-footed ones are gorgeous…they need to be saved!! Thanks Teresa!! It’s so fun to see all the ferrets in my feed! Hehe… This month will be fun!
Yes, it will! 😄
Nicely done Charlie, he looks like he is going to jump off the page.
Awww thanks Sharon! 💕😃 I never realized how cute ferrets were until I researched them! Hehe
You find the most amazing facts about things…ferret in the pants! Yikes! Very cutely done.
Hehe….I always like the weird facts best! 😊 Thanks so much Teri! 😃💕
Somehow your animals all have mischief in their eyes…like the artist perhaps? This is going to be fun. I plan to participate Monday! (K)
What an adorable ferret. Tempting to have one as a pet… Probably not but a great little critter to celebrate! Wonderful doodlewash Charlie!
Yeah…they’re pretty darn cute actually, though I don’t think I could get past the smell enough to own one. Hehe Thanks Cathe!! 😃💕
Perky little fellow!
Aww thanks! hehe… glad ya liked him! 😃💕
So cute!! They are adorable creatures but I can’t imagine having them crawl in my pants. Lol. ❤️
Thanks Kari! 😃💕Yeah… I think they should be kept out of pants as a general rule, but they are super cute!! Hehe
So so cute Charlie, just like my woody( ferret version not the horse) I hasten to add, I never put him down my trouser! I have tagged my ferret watercolour from a past post, I hope that’s all I need to do? Thanks for the link to all appropriate days….the 6 th will be interesting, sorry Charlie!
Thanks Rebecca!! 😃💕Great to know you don’t put ferrets down your pants! LOL And yes on the tag! Yay! That’s awesome! Hope you’ll find some other days that inspire you as well! Yep… the 6th is that phrase I was always taunted with in childhood! 😊Hehe
Such a cute ferret! I did say I would play along but it would seem I am behind before there has been a chance to get started. The weekend got in the way. I better find that “National Day Calendar” and get to work!! Or at least have some me time and some fun. 🙂
Thanks Susan! 😃💕And there’s plenty of time left to play along! Hehe… I purposedly set this one up as a “play when you can” challenge instead of a daily one as I didn’t want anyone to feel like they missed out!
Yay! It will be a play as I can. I noticed it was national chocolate mousse day but I opted for finding a rainbow. Something I needed more then chocolate mousse. 🙂
Just catching up! Can’t wait to check it out!
You need a new title: Captain of CUTE! Seriously, Charlie, this is so very awesomely rendered! Two weeks until I’ll have more than just Sundays off! <3
Awww thanks sis! 😃💜I really love to doodlewash cute things best. Hehe… No idea why. Must be all the years I spent at Hallmark! 😊Hang in there! And after two weeks… there’s still time to play with me in this little challenge! 😉
No doubt, Charlie! At this point, I’m hoping I can get something together for DABD. Would be sad to miss the official holiday lol! I’ll be looking forward to your artwork!
Yes!! You best be celebrating the official one!! 😉❤️Ugh…sorry work is such a grind for you right now. But just a few days left of that mess! Yay!
Ohhhh, another cute one! Love it! Ah ah ah …chewing power cords.I can imagine yes. Mischeivous…same 🙂
Thanks!! 😃💕Hehe…glad you liked this one! Yeah…apparently ferrets are a handful! Don’t think I’d ever have one as a pet, but they actually are pretty cute!!
I love your watercolors! National Ferret Day, is that a thing?
Apparently! lol … there’s a day for everything. That’s why I’m having people join me this month in celebrating random days with a doodlewash! hehe…. Thanks So much Jill! 😃💕
Very cute and nice
Thanks so much, Anja! 😃💕