Jeanette Hall, 29, one of the world's few female taxidermists, enjoyed a
mainstream practice in Nevada (elk heads, bear rugs, even some novelties like
deer testicles) until she decided recently to create sofa pillows with one
side made from the actual fur of her clients' dogs and cats (horses and cows
handled, also), for fees of $65 to $150. Though her customers were satisfied
("Most people," Hall said, "were happy that Fluffy was still on the couch"),
Hall said others considered her work "sick," and she was deluged with
"hundreds of hate e-mails from all over the globe," from "people threatening
to burn down my house." (Consequently, she has temporarily retired her pillow
work.) [Daily Telegraph (London), 4-10-05]