That was our tenth episode!

 

Obi Ferret

Welcome everyone to a Saturday edition of Tonks Talk. Yesterday, Tonks and Mina discussed whether Ferrets are the right pet. Today, they will try to answer any more questions about the blog and what we hope to accomplish. Enjoy

Wilhelmina "Mina" Tulip Schug

M. Happy Saturday to all! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, wherever you may be, and welcome to the show. Yesterday, we talked about whether getting a Ferret was the right choice. Today, however, we will take a step back, and to help me explain, my lovely sister Tonks. (Smiling broadly)

Nymphadora Arwen Tonks Schug

T. (Also Smiling.) Thank you for that beautiful introduction. Yes, I loved your idea so much yesterday, and I had a blast discussing it on the show. I also found our TENTH episode fitting to be about Ferrets as pets. 

M. Thank you, Sister. It was time to address having us as pets while we were still young in our broadcasting careers. It's only natural that everyone will want a talking Ferret of their own now.

T. (Tonks looks at Mina, trying to gauge if she is kidding, but goes along.) Um, yeah. They sure are. 

(Both girls laugh at their silliness.)

M. So, how far back did you want to take a step today?  Last week, the week before?

T. (Giggles as she shakes her head no.) All the way to the start. What a perfect time to recap what we are about and intend to accomplish on the blog. Now that we have completed ten episodes, there is a manageable sample size. 

M. (Nods.) Now, it all makes sense. But what about. (Breaks off as Tonks starts in.)

T. Stuff we still need to introduce?

M. Yeah, that?

T. We will still introduce that material as a new feature. 

M. ok, got it. Sorry, I'll let you explain away. (Blushes but smiles.)

T. (Consolingly.) That's entirely alright, dear. But, of course, you had no idea what to expect. (Clears throat.) So, starting from the beginning, we have had introductions, interviews, and facts about Ferrets, and we even discussed having Ferrets as pets. 

M. I can't believe it has been that many. Time flys

T. It sure does. By now, people would have a good idea of what we are about, and that's pure fun. The goal of this blog is to make someone smile somewhere. Education is good at times, but a smile can change our day. Can you take a guess what that means, Sis?

M. We will not be covering topics that could be considered a "Hot" topic, such as religion, politics, etc. This blog is intended to be hate and bigotry-free. Please leave the comment section free of any hate-speak or bullying,

T. However, if you find content offensive, please share what you found offensive, and we will review the content and edit it as needed. We intend to be inclusive in all manners. Characters will have specific roles in fictional stories, but they are just a bunch of animals hanging out and having fun. No one is trying to find offense, and all are welcome. We just ask you to keep it PG13 at worst. 

M. We believe in free speech but will delete any comments that aren't decent. One of the long-term goals of this blog is to release young people's level reading material and encourage creativity in young writers. 

T. Now that we've dealt with the not-so-fun stuff, let's get to the fun. First, who are we?

M. We are the Mischievous Mustelids (Ferrets are a type of mustelid), and this is our blog. 

T. The Idea for the blog was hatched on Facebook. Daddy had created an account for my big brother Obi and started doing diary-type entries. He has had an idea for some adventure books, but he also got the idea of a talk show hosted and run by talking animals last year. 

M. Daddy tried it out on Facebook, interviewing real animals. He would send a questionnaire with instructions to the pet owner, then take the reply and fabricate the interview. The blog idea was born when Daddy saw that it had the intended effect and with a little nudge from a former coworker (Karen Hall). 

T. Daddy just needed a name, and after struggling to come up with a name he liked for over half a year, he had a breakthrough. Daddy insisted Mustelid had to be in the title but couldn't come up with anything that flowed with it.

M. One night, Daddy was on the phone with a good friend ( Beth Helminiak), and she referred to her dogs as a couple of miscreants, which led Daddy to the word "Mischievous."

T. (Smiling.) And Mischievous had that flow. Daddy likes to say, "They want their shenanigans, but they try to prevent anyone from getting hurt or breaking the law. 

M. Sometimes Sadie pushes the getting hurt and law bit a little. 

(Both Ladies laugh heartily)

T. At least no one has been seriously hurt. Although I thought Daddy was really gonna take it to Obi over the boat in the house incident. (Obi groans from the back of the room.)

M. (Giggling.) Remember? We aren't supposed to bring that up around Daddy. 

(Tonks blushes and apologizes. Everyone holds their breath and turns to look at Daddy, but there is a general sigh as Daddy chuckles. Mina giggles, and Tonks laughs nervously.)

T. (Awkwardly, Tonks tries to get back on track.) That's how the name of the blog came to be. 

M. We had a goal, make people laugh. We knew we wanted to do that through stories and other means. We also knew we enjoyed teaching, and a blog would be the best way to do both. We have also done so using two different methods. 

T. You see, though the information in the "Interviews" is factual, the setting and interview are entirely fictional. Pet owners fill out a short questionnaire, and everything is created from that and used with any pictures with the owners' permission.

M. Then, of course, our non-fictional episodes, which are still fictional but cover facts??? So confusing.

(Both ladies laugh)

T. In those episodes, the setting is still entirely fictional (a talk show hosted by animals), but the content may be nonfictional. 

M. Like the episode in which we introduced ferrets, or would a ferret be the best pet for you?

T. (Smiles triumphantly) Exactly. Let's take a short break, and when we come back, we will break down the interview process and how to have your pets interviewed. After that, how to suggest topics for the show and upcoming features. 

Daddy. (Ten minutes, ten-minute break, everyone.)

Obi Ferret

Obi,

During the break, everyone mostly hangs out at their desks. Tonks has her usual tea, while Mina has her Diet Dr. Pepper. Finally, Daddy gives the countdown, and we return to the program.

Brian Schug and Danu, an Osprey.
Taken at Cascades Raptor Center

Nymphadora Arwen Tonks Schug

T. Welcome back from break, everyone. So how did these "interviews" start, and who can be included? 

Wilhelmina "Mina" Tulip Schug

M. Daddy started them on Facebook as a way for people in the groups to get to know each other better. He thought it would be a neat way to get your pet's story out there and read by many people. And that is still the goal.

T. Daddy hopes that when people read them, they will find them funny, perhaps witty and clever, but walk away with a slightly lighter step and a smile. 

M. If you want your pet "interviewed," please email us, and we will reply with a short questionnaire. The questions are about the pet, and several are to be answered from the "pet's point of view." Yes, it's anthropomorphic, but also a lot of fun. Besides, we already talk to our animals, and I'm sure we have specific voices for each.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphic

T. The "Interviews" have also been a way to introduce ferrets from the local shelter to the Oregon Facebook ferret groups and help get them adopted out. 

M. For our "non-fiction" shows, we pick topics, break them down, and provide a way for you to get the answers you need in a fun way. We will also do some fact-checking but will still include and recommend you visit sites on your own for feeding, training, or anything else pet-related, as your opinions may differ. 

T. If you have differing opinions and research to back them up, please share. We are always looking to learn more; further research is always welcome.

T. (Turns towards Mina) Mina, what new features can our readers expect to see in the future?

M. More interviews and shows about pet foods, positive reinforcement training, and enrichment. Plus, two new features coming up. 

(Tonks is bouncing up and down in excitement)

M. Joining us for these two new features will be one of our older brothers, Remus. 

T. That's right, Remus will join us in telling Obi's adventures and my favorite new feature, which I will let Remus introduce himself as it was his idea. (Looks towards Remus and nods)

Remus Winston Lupin Schug

Remus. Yes, ah, thank you for having me. I am also excited about both upcoming features, but I'm partial to this other one, like you. It goes like this. As the pet owner, you do a typical interview for a pet that has passed the rainbow bridge, then do short interviews of the other pets, and we will write a memorial service/celebration of life for the deceased pet as done by the other animals. 

R. You know your pets best, and we want to give you something else to memorialize them. (Looks back at Tonks.)

T. Thank you, Remus. I can't wait to do our first "In Memory of" episode.

M. So, as you can see, we are honest-to-goodness, live ferrets, and have our own talk show. 

T. And now you know what that show is all about. If you would like to be on the show, we do not limit the guests to animals, as we have had and will continue to have humans on occasion or your pets. So please send an email, and we will get back to you promptly.

M. All animals are welcome, whether they talk or not. (Gives a wink at the camera.)

T. That is going to do it for today's show. I'd like to thank everyone for seeing us through our first ten episodes, and I look forward to the next ten. Have a good evening, everyone, and take care. Nymphadora. 

Obi

Thank you for joining us as we celebrated our tenth episode. Please share your opinions in the comments. Whether they are just supportive or respectful critiques, they will be appreciated. We always welcome any ideas for the show. Thank you for reading.

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