A Squirrely Sideshow

If you're in the habit of attending boat shows, you may be familiar with a squirrely phenomenon. Twiggy the Amazing Water Skiing Squirrel has become an American pastime and something you have to see to believe.

The little gray squirrel performs atop tiny custom-made water skis, pulled behind a toy boat around a small pool.

This particular Twiggy, an attraction at national boat shows throughout the year, is the fourth in her line, and she's so popular she even has a website.

Twiggy IV is the highly trained pet of Lou Ann Best and the squirrel travels with her in their 36-foot motor home. They do boat shows through the winter and fair season in the summer.

In 1978, Best and her late husband took in a baby squirrel that had fallen from its nest. They named her Twiggy, and by using lots of affection, repetition, and plenty of nuts, they slowly trained her to ride foot-long skis, and be pulled through the water as they used a remote control to drive her little boat.

Twiggy's skis and boat have been handmade for her by a water ski manufacturer. She is not attached to the skis is any harmful way, she's only standing on them.

In her now-famous act, Twiggy jumps off Lou Ann's shoulder, and swims to her skis to begin the show. In 1998 Newsday talked to Michael Duffy, a manager of one of the many boat shows that Twiggy has appeared in, and he said "Every show she did was packed, the response was overwhelming."

People have become so thrilled with her shows that she is now sought after by the likes of David Letterman and Rosie O'Donnell to appear on their television programs.