Post by Die Fledermaus on Oct 17, 2007 23:40:38 GMT -4
>> Published Sunday | October 14, 2007
Gerbils scamper their stuff at gathering
BY DALTON WALKER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
>> Show Me, a small white gerbil and pet of Cory Hover, was one of more than 50 gerbils on hand Saturday for the Midwest Gerbil Show at the Carlisle Hotel in Omaha.
Most of the tiny creatures ripped up small pieces of tissue. Some clawed at the glass protecting them while others crawled up into a ball and slept. Some gerbils were as big as baseballs, others as small as golf balls.
Hover and Michele Rush, both of Omaha, helped organized the event, which was held here for the first time.
Kennel owners came from as far away as Oklahoma and Wisconsin just to have their animals compete.
"Gerbil shows are starting to catch on," Rush said. "It's more than a hobby. It's another option (to) cats and dogs."
Paper towel gnawing, quickest arm climber and shirt pocket friendliness were among the categories in the event's "Gerbil Olympics."
Kate Anastasi, 10, flew in from Hollis, N.H., with her mom, Donna, who is president of the American Gerbil Society.
Donna Anastasi was a judge at the event, while her daughter explained to visitors what gerbils are all about.
Visitors gawked at the fury critters, scattered throughout the room. A hedgehog and a few fuzzy rodents other than gerbils also were on display. There even were four cakes shaped like gerbils.
Darren Keen of Omaha took pictures of the critters. He said he owns six gerbils and came to the show to learn what it takes for the animals to participate.
"An event like this is always pretty cool to check out," said Keen, 24. "Hopefully one of these times I'll have my gerbils ready to compete."
<<
www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10157518
Gerbils scamper their stuff at gathering
BY DALTON WALKER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
>> Show Me, a small white gerbil and pet of Cory Hover, was one of more than 50 gerbils on hand Saturday for the Midwest Gerbil Show at the Carlisle Hotel in Omaha.
Most of the tiny creatures ripped up small pieces of tissue. Some clawed at the glass protecting them while others crawled up into a ball and slept. Some gerbils were as big as baseballs, others as small as golf balls.
Hover and Michele Rush, both of Omaha, helped organized the event, which was held here for the first time.
Kennel owners came from as far away as Oklahoma and Wisconsin just to have their animals compete.
"Gerbil shows are starting to catch on," Rush said. "It's more than a hobby. It's another option (to) cats and dogs."
Paper towel gnawing, quickest arm climber and shirt pocket friendliness were among the categories in the event's "Gerbil Olympics."
Kate Anastasi, 10, flew in from Hollis, N.H., with her mom, Donna, who is president of the American Gerbil Society.
Donna Anastasi was a judge at the event, while her daughter explained to visitors what gerbils are all about.
Visitors gawked at the fury critters, scattered throughout the room. A hedgehog and a few fuzzy rodents other than gerbils also were on display. There even were four cakes shaped like gerbils.
Darren Keen of Omaha took pictures of the critters. He said he owns six gerbils and came to the show to learn what it takes for the animals to participate.
"An event like this is always pretty cool to check out," said Keen, 24. "Hopefully one of these times I'll have my gerbils ready to compete."
<<
www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10157518
