I'm a week late posting this story - I had to hold off until a certain someone received a certain package in the mail. Keep reading, it'll all make sense eventually. :->

Friday night after work, I was preparing to make the 2 1/2 hour drive down the massive San Diego Comic-Con as I do every year. I was running late, and I had run out of cat food. Grumbling, I raced to Petco. Turns out this little detour was fate, and I have my Tabby to thank. As I waited in line, I spotted the latest beanie toys from Petco. Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm a fiend for stuffed toys, so I already had the cat and dog beanie. I discovered that Petco had expanded its beanie line to hamsters and... cute lavender ferrets! On a whim, I bought two; this year I'd been informed in advance by Leigh (of Nicklea.com fame) that Chris Owens was scheduled for a signing at the Con. So, I had this fantasy of convincing Chris to sign one of the ferrets for Drovar, the webmaster of The Ferret Cage.

The signing began around 1:00 on Saturday at a booth sponsored by the company that puts out the official magazines. I got to the front by about 1:30, snapping a couple of pictures as I was on my way up. Dean Haglund was also there, reportedly promoting his upcoming comic book (though I didn't see a copy of it myself, nor did I get a chance to ask Dean about it). Dean was a last-minute addition to the schedule - had I known, I would have brought something from LA to sign. Instead I had to buy another copy of the XF magazine with the Lone Gunmen on the cover at the last minute.

When I got to Chris' and Dean's table, I introduced myself to the two of them, and shook Chris' hand. I told them I met them at the X-Files seminar (otherwise known as Xeminar '99). They were perplexed. I said, "The seminar in February up in LA?" "Oh!" They were both extremely nice, and I'd expected nothing less since I'd met them before.

I wanted to be prepared and avoid rummaging through my bag, so I had the ferret, disposable camera, a Sharpie and a picture for Chris to sign sitting in my coat pockets. I said to Chris, "I have a weird request." I produced the ferret. The really cute thing is that Chris knew exactly what it was for and he beamed with a "well, this is familiar" grin before I had a chance to say anything more.

I was so focused on the task at hand that I almost forgot about the XF magazine I'd bought for Dean to sign. Dean looked down at the magazine and asked me if I wanted him to take the magazine out of its wrapper and have him sign it. "Oh, sorry, yes, please!" Duh.

I turned my attention back to Chris: "This is for the person who does the Ferret Cage," hoping he knew exactly what I meant and that Drovar wouldn't kill me for bringing up the subject of his website with Chris Owens (he didn't, I'm happy to say). "Will you please sign this?" I asked, turning the doll over on his back. Chris just grinned widely and said, "Of course."

Chris asked me what kind of pen he should use. "Should I use a Sharpie?" I answered, "I think that would work, that's what I'd brought." I showed him mine, but he had one of his own. I thought Chris might sign the ferret's tummy, but he signed its chest instead, so the autograph looks more like a sailor's tattoo. ;->

Anyhoo... Chris may have known what the Ferret Cage was about, but Dean certainly didn't. As he was signing my XF magazine, Dean piped in, "What's the Ferret Cage?" But Chris was still talking to me saying, "This is probably going to be the highlight of my day!" :-D

After Chris finished signing, Dean persisted: "So, what's the Ferret Cage?" I told Dean, "It's all Spender fan fiction."

Dean cocked an eyebrow towards Chris. "So why the Ferret Cage?"

And I kid you not, Chris said as proudly as anyone could, "'Cause I'm Ferret Boy in the fandom!" I can't tell you how much that endears Chris Owens to me. The fact that he's unassuming enough to call himself "Ferret Boy" to a fan and a fellow actor is just too adorable!

Just as I was flashing on the image of Chris Owens in full hero regalia with "FB" emblazoned across his chest, Chris held up the doll and posed with it, grinning widely with sort of a "Ta Da!" gesture. This gave me an idea:

"Oh, can I get a picture of you doing that?" He posed, I clicked. I still have to finish the roll, but I do indeed have proof that Chris Owens signed the ferret! ;->

Afterwards, I had Chris sign the picture I took of him at the SAG Awards. He was pretty happy to see it, so I told him I had an extra if he wanted one, and he said he would. Dean peered over Chris shoulder to look at the picture and grumbled that he hadn't been invited to the SAG Awards. :-( I made sympathetic noises in response.

Chris began to sign the picture in silver ink. It leaked, making a huge blob on the picture. "Oh, no!" Chris looked up at me in horror. "You ruined her picture!" one of the women helping out at the booth exclaimed. "I have my extra," I said. So, Dean told Chris, "Well, that one's yours!" I laughed and Chris said, "Yeah, I'll keep this one and wipe it off." I gave Chris the other to sign - this time he used the Sharpie. ;->

I didn't have a chance to talk with Chris and Dean about upcoming projects or anything... but then again someone inevitably does and posts about it anyway. ;-> I thanked them both and they smiled back, and I left.

For the duration of the Comic-Con, I had this goofy grin on my face, and every once in a while, I'd turn to my friends and sing-song, "Chris Owens signed the ferret!" To echo Chris, that signing was certainly the highlight of my day. And now the little guy has arrived safely at his new home. Let's just pray that picture comes out! :-D