I've been reading the FML for some time, but this is the first time I've come
out of the closet and introduced myself.  I share an apartment with Francine,
a one-year-old, cinnamon carpet shark who keeps me on my toes.  She really is
the perfect pet for me.  You see, I'm handicapped and don't get around very
well (I kind of stumble around with the help of a cane).  I was always a dog
lover, but walking a dog is too much trouble for me.  I was never much of a
cat lover.  But, Francine is playful enough to keep me amused and light enough
for me to carry around.  In addition, I get quite a bit of exercise chasing
socks!
 
I've never really figured out how to litter train Franny.  I have a few litter
boxes around the apartment, but I still find a few accidents around.  Her
favorite place of deposit is the corner of my living room by my front door.
Since the door opens there, I can't put a litter box there.  Instead, I bought
a cheap 2' x 3' rug remnant.  Franny goes on it, then I pick up the rug and
dump it outside and my carpet is saved.
 
I find it hard to understand all the talk about ferret bites.  I have three
kids, ages 5, 8 and 11, who live wih my wife (we're separated).  They also
have two ferrets.  The kids handle the ferrets all the time, sometimes very
roughly as kids do.  Yet, the ferrets have NEVER hurt them.
 
Now, I have two questions:
 
First, because I am a notorious procrastinator and Francine has always seemed
so healthy, I've never had her to a vet.  I live north of Baltimore.  Can
anybody recommend a good vet closeby that knows ferrets well?
 
 Second, I have never given Franny Linatone or Ferritone.  Instead, the pet
store where I bought her carries Vita-Sol vitamins for ferrets.  I've never seen
this mentioned on the FML.  How does it compare to Ferritone?  Better or
worse? I would appreciate anything you can tell me.
 
Well, that's about it for now.  Thanks for bearing with me.
 
Happy Ferreting,
 
Ron & Francine
 
[Posted in FML issue 0867]