Watch, Don't Wear, Minks and Beavers

August 27, 2008

When my grandmother died, I recall screaming after going through her clothes and finding what looked to be a giant dead rat, teeth still intact. I was informed that this was a fashionable stole for the time. Who knows what poor animal lost its life to produce it. My guess is that many of you have such memories as well, or perhaps recall photos of past relatives wearing things like the below.

(Credit: Library of Congress; Miss Nellie B. Dolgorouky, sister-in-law of the late Czar Alexander of Russia)

To be fair to Nellie, it gets mighty cold in Russia, and my grandmother would've experienced the same. But if these gals were alive today, I'd have one word for them...fleece.

Thoughts of fur coat beasties came to mind when Born Animal buddy Heidi Perryman of Martinez Beavers.org ("worth a dam," as she says) wrote with news that a mink was spotted at their Martinez, California beaver dam. Perryman and videographer Moses Silva put together wonderful videos that will make you smile on even the worst of days. Here are two good reasons to watch and admire minks and beavers instead of wearing them.

Comments

[Heidi]

Sorry if this is a repeat.

Thank you so much for your very kind words and interest. I think beavers do a much better outreach job than people ever could. Guess what we filmed yesterday! A Steelhead. Now that's the kind of returning endangered species we wanna see more of. Thanks for the reminder that fur looks better the way it comes.
BTW Did you know bush had a special beaver hat made for his inauguration? Just read that and posted my thoughts...

Heidi

[Jen Viegas]

Heidi,
You have set the stage for such a thriving ecosystem, as evidenced by the steelhead. (Great choice of tune with the fish-crooning Bing.)
And thank you again for sharing your videos. Your website is such an entertaining, informational read too.
As for the inauguration hat, ay caramba. Let's hope in 2009 the new pres will go to the ceremony bare headed (but with plenty of neuronal activity in the head).-J