April 30, 2007

16th HAMAMATSU SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP

Official Pics and News from the 16th Japanese National Ferret Championship!!

I don't know whether the Spring show is always smaller or if the area was just not as popular, but anyway, a little smaller compared to the KOBE event. The recorded turnout numbers were as follows: 502 total entries in all classes with a breakdown of 195 in the Championship Classes & 306 in the Specialty Classes, and over 400 people. (Notice how the people are listed last. ~.^) Although it was a smaller turnout, the numbers of ferrets participating is listed as being close to the largest out of all the past shows. On the other hand, the online event coverage was definitely the most expansive to date and so were the amount ferret goodies. I will be showcasing those stores in the next installment here.

Overview:
There are many ferret shows across Japan, but the 2 main Championship shows that the AFA participates in are held in the Spring and Fall every year. They are normally held in the southern area on Japan's main island since the President of the JFA is from that area and she has to haul all that stuff around.

As the members of the JFA become more familiar with the resources available online, we benefit. I'm guessing that's what happened. At any rate, since they have expanded their coverage on the event, so have I. ^.^

This Spring's Championship Highlights:
. lots and lots of fuzzies !!!!
. the super-cute ANYTHING GOES photo contest
. a mountain of general photos of the events and participants *new*
. A nice 3 minute video featuring the Japanese & American judges, some ferrets from the costume show, and lots of human activities. And it is high quality to boot.

It goes without saying, but these pages are in Japanese. Instructions and translations provided by me.


CONTEST PHOTOS
1st Place Title: "Pon De Itachi"Itachi means weasel. She's wearing one of the new, popular donuts from Mr. Donuts called "Pon De *something*" hence the title. The camera person writes that she was sleeping when this was taken.
2nd Place Title: "No matter what, NO?"The camera person reports that one time, she stole a dried potato from him. Every since then, she's been crazy for them and begs incessantly. She doesn't get any though. :)
3rd Place Title: "Oh, me, Oh my."The camera person reports this is just like a commericial here, but it is with a bear making that face. The fuzzy is actually just sleeping.
3rd Place Title: "Check out that Nose!" Wow. They are right. That fuzzy has a pattern on it's nose just like the letter 'mu'! It is a sign, for sure.
JFA Special Award Title: "Which one is cuter?"The camera person says, "It is just like a cuteness battle."


HURRAY FOR PHOTOS!:
I am really happy that they added all these photos. Lots and LOTS of photos. It really gives you a feel for what goes on. Hopefully though, next time there will be some better selections. NOTE: When you move your cursor over the picture, it gets covered up. This is just a stylistic thing. Click it on anyway and you can see the enlarged photo.
PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7

VIDEO FROM THE SHOW:
I personally think the video from the 15th Show was better. This year the video encoding is too artsy in places - it blocks off half the screen - and there was too much focus on the humans and the human 'events' for my tastes. You do get to see the HUGE array of award ribbons Scarlett, Randy, and I set up the night before. No matter what, worth a peek. ^.^
SHOW VIDEO
Once you click on the movie link above and get to the page, please refer to the diagram below to watch the movie. Also, if you ever pause it, it doesn't really pause per se as when you restart it it takes you back to the beginning of the clip.


Hope you enjoyed this year's Spring Championship! See you next time!

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April 16, 2007

Wholesome Treats from WHOLELIFE

After many months of checking and rechecking and emailing, I finally received this response from theferretstore.com:

Hi Michelle and Fuzzies,

Unfortunately we have discontined carrying these treats. We didn't sell many of them and they would expire in our warehouse.

You can contact the Whole Life Company at 1-877-210-3142. They may be able to tell you where else they can be purchased.
Thank you,
***name removed***

This makes me soooo mad!
I've been buying from these products from them for OVER a year and half the time I tried to order, I was told they were "out of stock".

This is their own fault since they stopped listing it early on. If you don't list it, it's not going to sell. OBVIOUSLY. They took it completely out of the ferret treats page. You could only find it in the cat section. I wonder if they didn't hide it to make room for their own versions of the product. After all, about 6 months after they starting selling this line, they came out with their own "chicken" and "beef" version of it.

I am really mad they're making it hard to find.

ANYWAY, theories aside, I've compiled what info I can on where you can buy WHOLELIFE 100% SALMON and their other 100% meat treats for fuzzies.

EMAIL:
could someone call them and get their email/website (if they have one)? I'm overseas and it would be expensive for me. :(

WHOLELIFE company direct phone number:
1-877-210-3142. (supposed to be toll free)

OTHER websites to purchase WHOLELIFE treats:
@ onlynaturalpet.com
also has a link to wysong

@ topdogdist.com

@ dogtoys.com

@ RetailPets.com
ONLY sells to Retail Pet Stores, Vets and Non-Profit Organizations, ie shelters.


If you know of any other places to purchase, drop me a line so I can post and share with others.
Thanks!


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April 03, 2007

Ferret Journal Japan

The show in Hamamatsu is over and now is time to kick back and... go back to work. :P

But before that!
While waiting for youtube to upload the replacements for the anime that was taken down (HERE), I browsed and found this:


It's up to VOL 109 and doesn't look like he'll be stopping any time soon! Includes Japanese (usually) background music.

For your viewing enjoyment I have embedded #50 and #109 here.

EPISODE #109:


EPISODE #59:


If you go here, you can view all vids directly through the uploader on youtube. And this is his other site, koganeFERRET BLOG :)

I hope you ENJOY as much as I did!

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