“He just wants to be included.”
Many people might think that dogs are the only pets capable of enjoying an adventurous lifestyle. However, Jesse the ferret and his owner, Lauren Smith, are here to prove them wrong.
From the very first day Smith brought Jesse home, she was determined to acclimate him to the outdoors. “He took to the harness pretty much immediately,” Smith told The Dodo. “On the second day I had him, we were already out walking in the park, and he’s loved it ever since. He hasn’t known a whole lot different.” Since then, Smith and Jesse have expanded their adventures beyond the park — they enjoy hiking and camping in Colorado and Utah, and Smith even takes Jesse on kayaking trips.
Hiking allows Jesse to get good exercise and explore new environments. He particularly loves hiking through slot canyons, where he can dig into the sand. Smith mentioned that he can hike up to a mile or two without assistance. When he finally tires out, he simply hitches a ride in the hood of Smith’s sweatshirt. “He has a fun time just going out and hanging out with me. He just wants to be included,” Smith said.
Jesse even has his own special ferret-sized outdoor gear. To ensure his safety during kayak trips, Smith fashioned a life vest for him. If the weather is relatively warm, Jesse sleeps in his own fleece sleeping bag. On especially cold nights, he snuggles with Smith in her sleeping bag. It’s not every day that people see a harnessed ferret out on a hike or at a campsite, and Jesse’s presence often surprises and delights those they encounter.
“Most people get really excited to see Jesse. The most common question we get is, ‘What is that?’” Smith said.
Jesse has helped Smith through some extremely tough times. A year and a half ago, Smith and Jesse were involved in a major car accident in which Smith lost her left leg below the knee. Throughout Smith’s recovery process, Jesse has been there for her every step of the way.
“He was just a really good recovery buddy,” Smith said. Since the accident, Smith and Jesse have been relearning how to enjoy the outdoors together. It’s been comforting for Smith to know that no matter what, they have each other.