re: Ferrets as hunters, Ferrets and dogs
 
First, a Holiday Greeting to all, and a very sincere thanks to Chris
Lewis and the FML subscribers. You have all taught me so much, and my
ferret and me are MUCH better for this.
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I came to be a less than happy owner about 2 years ago. I rewarded my
children for their report-cards,($$$) and they bought a Marshall Farms
pet shop ferret with my wife's help. I did not know of this for 3 days.
They (three girls) were being particularly secretive in their bedroom,
and I thought it was puberty.  The day I saw "IT", I was livid!
We had 4 dogs, 2 cats, 3 hamsters, 2 chameleons, and numerous fish.
I couldn't understand how my wife could *DO* this.  As her punishment,
** SHE ** would have to return IT to the pet shop.
 
Two years later, I am thankful that the pet shop had a no return policy.
I did quite a few no-no's at first; cedar chips, cat litter...
The FML made all the difference in the world.
As you can guess, we have quite a family (not to mention the vet bills!)
Screwball (the ferret) spends a little over 50% of his time caged.  I am
his human. (Does this describe you ??)
I work from home, and he and I have established a special bond.  He has
a terrific personality, NEVER bites unless taunted, and then he knows not
to clamp down. Although...  the dogs do tend to protect their noses!
 
He has no problem with the cats (they stay high, he investigates low,)
no fear of the dogs, and he wants to eat the hamsters. He likes to
climb up on the aquariums for a drink too.  He delights in tormenting
my lifelong partner (dog) climbing on her face, waking her from her
almost constant sleep. She is 15, and is declining fast.  We also have
a 115 pound white German Shepard; (next in line to the throne) This
moose (Izzy) can't get enough of Screwball; She (Izzy) might just as
well be his shadow. On occasion, I walk away from this terminal and
leave them unsupervised to romp in the basement; (usually to get coffee
or only for a few minutes) more often Izzy is caged.
 
The two most humorous stories are when he pounces on her wagging tail
(tail is bigger and bulkier by far,) and when he did the ferret dance
and lept right into her mouth!  (No flames PLEASE !)
 
As soon as the cage is opened, he usually heads for their food dish;
(The only treats I have discovered in 2 years are strawberry licorice
and the red kibbles of dog food.) He'd drag an entire bag of licorice
off if he were a little faster. The dog perks up as soon as the hinge
on the cage squeaks to announce his arrival.  She lays down next to
him, trying to intimidate him; (Breathes that hot humid *DOG* breath on
him!) he couldn't care less. He'll eat a kibble or 2, then hide a few
for next time. Then they do the hide -n- seek thing `till one of them
knocks something down.  Izzy always has the guilty look, so she's caged.
 
The two worst stories are the time he got into the hamster cage and the
time he got a toenail caught in his cage.  I keep his nails cut very
short since he got hung up climbing down from his second floor. He was
flailing for about 10 seconds as he was positively stuck; He was
screaming, the dog went crazy, and I almost had a cardiac! I was able
to reach in, hold him (somewhat) steady, but I couldn't free him. I had
a friend poke his toe free with a pen, and he really seemed to cling to
me. That cling was a most wonderful feeling. He calmed down quite a bit,
so I let him down. Thankfully no limp, or anything permanent.
 
We used to let screwball have the run of the house; He killed a hamster
once, and slept under crumpled rugs, fold out couch and reclining
chair.  For MY peace of mind, he is usually restricted to the safety of
the basement.  One time I let him free and he went in my daughters room
(HAMSTERS!) before I knew it. I got my coffee, then closed the door to
the bedroom, accidentally closing him *IN* :-{   He opened the Habitrail.
  Result: FIVE dead baby hamsters in less than an hour.
 
I can visualize the site of the dogs. Please don't take your anger out
on those animals. It's a sad situation, but you can't place the full
blame on them.
 
As a closing thought, I wanted to express my sympathy for those who
have lost their pets so suddenly. I know I've got to do something soon
for my old dog who has trouble walking.  It will not be a good holiday
season.
 
Apologies for the long post too.
  Tom
 
[Posted in FML issue 0672]