I was really sad to read about Ashtin.  My thoughts are with you, Monica,
in this time of loss.
 
You asked about ways to protect the screens from our inquisitive friends.
I want to share what I have done and it has worked well for about 7
years.  I measured the width of my windows, on the inside, where the
track is that the window itself slides in and went to my local closet
store, the ones that will custom cut the vinyl covered shelving for
closets.  I chose a shelving that was 16 in wide and had them cut the
length to my measurement.  When I open the window I place the shelving
into the opening, against the screen, and pull the window back down so
that it is touching the top of the shelving and my windows are metal so
that they will stay down, tight against the top of the shelf.  This way
I have the windows open and my ferrets can get up on the window sill and
look out and still not be able to get to the screen.  My ferrets can get
on the window sills because they are low, about 10 inches off the floor
which is why I had to do this in the first place as I had one little girl
scratch an opening in the corner of the screen before it was protected
and she fell out of the window about 4 ft to the ground.  Luckily, I
noticed this right away and got her back before she went very far from
the house.
 
Ann and the five mischief makers.
[Posted in FML issue 4562]