Here's one convention the Tristate is not exactly tooting its horn about.

Who can blame our region's boosters if they stick their nose up at this, er, windfall?

For the second year in a row, the Cincinnati area has attracted the annual National and International Skunks as Pets Show, on March 1.

Now, don't get your nose bent out of shape. There are an estimated 5 million pet skunks in the United States. That's enough to merit an annual event. Besides, we don't snicker anymore at the annual barbershop quartets fetes, stamp collector conventions or the Trekkies. (Well, maybe the Trekkies, but only a little.)

Last year's skunk convention attracted about 500 peopleand more than 120 skunks that competed in a pet show for such designations as friendliest personality and best tail.

The event, at the Quality Inn on Glendale-Milford Road in Evendale, was a success, organizers say. The room for the main event was bun-to-bun people and their skunks.

No scents

Let me first take the stench out of this story.

These skunks are domestically bred and raised, not wild. Within weeks of birth, their scent glands are removed.

So they can't stink up the place.

But don't tell them that.

Pet skunks still stomp around, shuffle their little feet and stick up their rears as if trying to squirt, especially when they're frightened or provoked, but mostly when they want to play.

Sometimes, they'll let out a high-pitched squeal or even a comical little growl, but only if someone steps on them or hurts them.

Even if the skunks could squirt, they wouldn't, assures Jeannie King, a Milford-area owner of nine. Skunks are sweet, smart, sensitive.

"Each one has its own personality," she says. "The skunk is a very misunderstood animal."

This from a woman who signs her letters "hooked, lined and stinkered ..."

Domesticated skunks go beyond the black-and-white striped variety. Many are white, "champagne," chocolate and blonde.

Some skunks are like Pepe LePew, cheerfully demanding affection in a hard-to-ignore way. Others are coquettish, like a shy cat, hiding from strangers until there's food afoot.

Skunks have no rear brakes. When they run, their front paws may stop but their rear ones keep going, so they seem to crawl over themselves and do unintentional somersaults.

Proud pet owners

Skunks can bond to humans for life. They crawl into their shirts, share their beds at night, and dig through their grocery bags, refrigerators and cupboards.

"They're like having 3-year-olds," says Ms. King, who is coordinating of the 16th annual skunk show. "I have to baby-proof my house."

Skunks are den animals, constantly collecting clothes and other items to hide in corners.

The more you hold them when they're young, the gentler they are when they grow. But a skunk kept in a cage can turn angry and become a biter.

Get a whiff of the Skunks as Pets Web site (www.skunksaspets.com) .

There are enough Web pages of photos to fill albums. Some skunk owners like Ms. King indulged in a little skunk dress-up. There are skunks in bikinis, cowboy hats, Harley Davidson jackets. They're riding in Barbie cars, swimming in bathtubs, hanging out in dollhouses.

"They're a lot of joy, comfort, and a lot of laughs," says Ms. King, 54. She suffers from physical ailments and is often laid up in pain.

"They get me through the day."

E-mail damos@enquirer.com or phone 768-8395