When I was in college, I had a pet skunk. Yes, you read that right. Skunk. As in stinky. As in not. His name was Sidney, he was about as big as a cat, and he'd walk on a leash right behind me without a lick of training. I bought him at a pet store in Auburn, Alabama where I was attending Auburn University and he lived with me and my three room mates in our campus apartment.
Quite against campus housing rules, I might add.
Since Sid the kid (that's what I called him) was nocturnal, he'd sleep all day under the kitchen sink or in a bathroom cabinet and then he'd climb up on our beds at night and nip at our toes. In retrospect, I never should have showed him how to climb up on the bed. He was a cute little guy and liked to wrestle with my friend's ferret. Sidney would just sit on the ferret and win by default.
Not everyone liked Sidney. Sometimes when we were out on our walks around campus, people would drive by and shout, "Take that skunk back to the wild where it belongs." What they didn't know was that Sidney was no more wild than their dog or cat.
Yes, there are people who breed domesticated skunks and if you are a responsible pet owner, they can make great pets. They're clean, quiet, affectionate, playful, and since they're near-sighted, they'll stay right behind you on a walk. Domesticated skunks are also de-scented, meaning they've had the glands removed that allow them to spray foul fluid at potential attackers.
I'll have to go dig up some old photographs of Sidney. I attended college way back in the days of when cameras actually used film and pictures were printed on photo paper by stores like Walmart or photo-mats. But in the meantime, you get an idea on what he looked like by this sculpture.
Quite against campus housing rules, I might add.
Since Sid the kid (that's what I called him) was nocturnal, he'd sleep all day under the kitchen sink or in a bathroom cabinet and then he'd climb up on our beds at night and nip at our toes. In retrospect, I never should have showed him how to climb up on the bed. He was a cute little guy and liked to wrestle with my friend's ferret. Sidney would just sit on the ferret and win by default.
Not everyone liked Sidney. Sometimes when we were out on our walks around campus, people would drive by and shout, "Take that skunk back to the wild where it belongs." What they didn't know was that Sidney was no more wild than their dog or cat.
Yes, there are people who breed domesticated skunks and if you are a responsible pet owner, they can make great pets. They're clean, quiet, affectionate, playful, and since they're near-sighted, they'll stay right behind you on a walk. Domesticated skunks are also de-scented, meaning they've had the glands removed that allow them to spray foul fluid at potential attackers.
I'll have to go dig up some old photographs of Sidney. I attended college way back in the days of when cameras actually used film and pictures were printed on photo paper by stores like Walmart or photo-mats. But in the meantime, you get an idea on what he looked like by this sculpture.
Sidney Stand-in
I'd love to have another pet skunk, but currently the state of Alabama says you can only have one if you buy it from a breeder IN Alabama. Not Georgia, not Florida, not Mississippi, but Alabama. Guess what? There are no skunk breeders in Alabama. Arrrgh! I could move to Georgia where domesticated skunks ARE legal, but there's that tiny little thing concerning my husband's job being in ALABAMA!
Meanwhile, I'll just enjoy the zoo of companion animals that I already have.
Next time: Pepper the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile, I'll just enjoy the zoo of companion animals that I already have.
Next time: Pepper the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. Stay tuned...
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