Twiggy, The Water Skiing Squirrel(s)

We have heard of rodeo monkeys and even pigs who impersonate dogs - However, squirrels that water ski? That's got to be a first! But apparently Twiggy, or should we say Twiggy(s) since it is a succession of water-skiing squirrels, has been entertaining crowds all over the world since, 1979!

The original Twiggy's aquatic career began quite accidently. In 1978, Chuck and Lou Ann Best rescued a baby squirrel, after it was blown away from its nest, during a hurricane. The little squirrel soon became a part of the Best family, going on every excursion they went - roller skating, camping and even water skiing, where it sat on Chuck and Lou Ann's shoulder, as they zipped across the water.

The little rodent seemed to enjoy the water so much, that when Chuck purchased a remote controlled boat for his daughter's birthday, he decided to try teach it to water-ski. He strapped it onto buoyant foam blocks, attached them to the boat and proceeded to try teach the squirrel to ski. To his surprise, Twiggy took to it right away and soon, became a power water skier.

Twiggy's unusual talents were soon discovered by the local television stations, and before they knew it, Chuck and Lou Ann were starting to get requests to showcase the rodent's skills at various shows - A star had been born!

In the last 33 years, Twiggy who resides in Deltona, Florida, has performed all over the United States, as well as, Canada, Bermuda, Paris, France and Germany. It has also starred in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story as well as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and, appeared on numerous television talk shows.

Each incarnation of 'Twiggy' squirrel performs for a few years and then spends the rest of its life retired as a family pet. While Twiggy is the most famous, Chuck and Lou Ann have also managed to train two miniature horses, two French poodles, a black cat, an armadillo and a toad frog to water ski! To read more about these fun-loving rodents go to : www.skiingsquirrel.com.

Resources:skiingsquirrel.com, wikipedia.org.