Dear Krista,
 
If you ever fear your ferret might be dead, just put some ferretone in
your finger in front of his/her nose, or a piece of fruit or treat.  It
seems the nose is the first to wake up.  Nothing else works, but believe
me somethng that smells good works like a charm when you want to wake up
a sleepy ferret.
 
Shron & Rocky
 
P.S.  I'm an overprotective mother too.
[Posted in FML issue 4021]