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Photo by Graham Cullen
Paula Woodland records the score of a ferret named Conner, a 6-month-old male. |
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What has four legs, whiskers, different colored hair and the power to draw hundreds of people to the Frederick Fairgrounds on Saturday?If you said a dog or a cat, you're wrong. The answer is ferrets. About 400 ferrets were entered into the annual Dooktoberfest Ferret Competition and competed in such categories such as super senior, breeder and shelter. Dook refers to the clicking sounds ferrets sometimes make. Susan Hamilton of Newman Lake, Wash., flew across the country to enter Bambino and Bean in the competition. "It's a little vacation," she said. Hamilton was introduced into the world of ferrets about six years ago. "I didn't realize what great personalities they have," she said. During this trip, she adopted another ferret, which brings her total up to 20. "I can't imagine my life without ferrets ever again," Hamilton said. Bill and Tammy Sickley drove about four hours from New Jersey so their four ferrets could compete. They travel to seven to eight shows a year and said they enjoy the camaraderie of other ferret owners. Although the competition was the main attraction, attendees could check out items for sale from 21 vendors and participate in auctions. The auction money went toward a study on the distemper vaccine that ferrets get once a year. Veterinarian Dr. Ruth Heller believes ferrets only need to get the shot once in their lives. One of her ferrets, Mongo, died after getting the shot, so she is hoping the study will provide information that could save other ferrets' lives. Heller is also a ferret breeder and has about 50 at home. "They are like kittens who never grow up," she said. Cecelia Kinney of Derby, Pa. smiled while watching one of her 20 ferrets, Gunner, pose for a Christmas portrait by photographer Donna Sappah. Gunner was placed in a sleigh with two nutcrackers behind him. Sappah made noises and used toys to get him to look at the camera. "They bring a smile to my face," Kinney said. Sappah, who also takes photos at car shows and weddings, said she enjoys photographing ferrets. "It's actually really awesome," she said. "It's better than people."
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