>Folks, if you aren't prepared to commit to a ferret for the life of the
>ferret, get a damn goldfish or something.
 
But is that fair on the goldfish?
 
Some people may consider me a 'collector' maybe I am, I love a wide
variety of animals (and have 5 different species sharing my home) BUT all
of my family members (I don't consider them to be my pets) get lots and
lots of attention, clean living conditions and vetinary care when
required.
 
I would never consider giving them up, nor would I move to a place that
states 'no pets' any more than I would give up my (un-furred) children
because I had decided to move to a place that said 'no children'.
 
I don't work full time but I do a lot of voluntary stuff at my children's
school so free-time is limited and I usually end up spending it playing
with someone, be it board games with the human kids, towel rides with the
ferts, or supervising the rats free-roaming, that is what I chose and
committed to, and that is how it will continue until the end of my animals
days.
 
Having said all that, though, my human children have the greater demand
for my time but I do ensure that it is balanced against the needs of my
furry (and finned) family.  I believe that animals have a very positive
impact on the kind of person a child will turn out to be.  My three year
old handles his pet rat with confidence and gentleness and doesn't treat
her like a toy.
 
Just my 0.02
 
Jane
 
Woozle and Hamish (the ferrets)
Murphy and Tabby (the mogs)
Lily, Chloe and Smudge (the rats)
Sandy (the hamster)
Dawn and Dolphi (the fish)
[Posted in FML issue 3572]