From:   NAME: Denise Coldeway
        FUNC: 352
        TEL:                                  <COLDEWAY.DENISE@A1@VAXEN>
To:     "[log in to unmask]"@internet
 
[Is there any way you can get your mailer to stop inserting multiple
sets of headers?]
 
 
          To:  Colleen Wei
          RE:  Nail-clipping
          From:Denise Coldeway
 
          Hi Colleen!  Thanks for the nail-clipping tip.  I also printed your
          suggestions for my future use (which so happens to be tonight, it's
          bath night!).  You see, I haven't been using Linatone or Ferretone
          up to this point.  I'd heard of it, but was under the impression
          that it was unnecessary and downright harmful.  I'm so glad to
          discover I was wrong!  I went out and purchased my first bottle
          last night!  And the boys are quite thrilled that I finally "got
          with the program," so to speak.  I'll let you know how it goes.
          I'm just excited at the prospect of them sitting in my lap long
          enough for me to get in a good cuddle!  Linatone on the tummy...too
          cute!
 
          One other thing to mention about PediaLyte.  My vet first
          recommended it's use to me when one of the boys had diarrhea.  It
          really does work.  It helps replace the lost minerals, etc.
 
          To:  Charlie Cook
          RE:  Do you cage?
 
          I realize I'm probably in the minority here, but no, I do not cage
          Simon & Tyler.  I do have a cage, but I put it in my outside
          storage closet (just in case of emergency).  I tried to cage Simon
          (age 2 1/2) in the beginning, but it nearly broke my heart.  He
          seemed so lethargic and depressed.  He slept most of the time, and
          when he was awake, all he tried to do was get out.  I honestly
          thought he would hurt himself one day.  Tyler (age 1 1/2) was only
          caged when he was tiny.  I had to protect him from Simon, who was
          extremely jealous!  Tyler didn't seem to mind it at first, but as
          he got bigger, he very much wanted to play with his big brother.
          So, out he went.
 
          So far, it seems to work well.  You all will probably think they're
          terribly spoiled (which they are!), but as a rule, I let them
          explore to their hearts content (as long as it's not dangerous).
          As you know, they're persistent and determined little critters, and
          I just got tired of disciplining them all the time.  An added bonus
          is that they spend more time with me when they're awake, rather
          than trying to get into all the places they haven't seen and aren't
          allowed to go.  Does that make any sense?
 
          Don't get me wrong, they do try to get into danger zones (hot oven,
          behind the fridge, etc.) and in that instance, I give them an
          emphatic "NO, NO, NO," complete with finger shaking and foot
          stomping.  It might be my imagination, but they seem to "listen"
          when I do tell them "no."  Since I'm not telling them "no" around
          every corner, I think they realize I mean it when I do say it.
 
          The freedom thing works well for us.  Others may disagree, and say
          it's not in their best interest to leave them loose all the time.
          And that's ok.  If I had caged them from the beginning, I'm sure
 
          they wouldn't mind.  But, I think I would.  It's just a matter of
          personal preference (and alot of patience, I think).
 
          BTW, when I do have to confine them on occasion, I set them up in
          the bathroom.  But never for too long.
 
          Tell us more about Jazmine...
 
          Dona asked for info on a ferret show in Arlington.  I, too, am
          interested.  It would be worth the trip from Austin!
 
          To:  Michele
          RE:  Puck
 
          My goodness...sounds like you all have a guardian angel.  Poor
          little guy!  He was probably just as scared as you were.
 
          I have a similar story.  Here's the condensed version.  Somebody
          left the door open a crack, and Simon bolted.  He was probably only
          out there for 20 minutes before I discovered the door was open and
          he was gone.  PANIC!!!!  I ran out the door, into the night, not
          really knowing which direction to go first.  I just started yelling
          his name as loudly as I could.  I stepped out into the street,
          looked both ways, and there about 25 yards away, I saw a little
          white speck in the dark.  I advanced toward this white speck, and
          sure enough, it was Simon, standing in the middle of the street,
          looking at me!  I kept thinking how lucky it was that Simon doesn't
          have a mask.  If he had, I probably wouldn't have seen him.  That's
          when I bought collars, too!  I know Puck is glad to be home with
          his family.
 
          To:  Kathryn Krowl
          RE:  Butt Jumpy
 
          I see you're a student at UT.  I'm a fellow Texas-Ex myself.  I
          don't know any other ferret pets in the Austin area, do you?  If
          you're interested, maybe we could get together sometime.  I take
          the boys out quite often (to the various parks around town), and
          thought it would be fun if you and b.j. could join us.  At any
          rate, we're close by if you need anything.  Let me know if you'd
          like to exchange #'s.  I'm glad she's home!
 
          And finally, I truly feel for you all who have sick little one's at
          home.  And to you, Chris, with your recent loss of Mocha.  I wish
          there was something we could do.  Please keep writing, because
          we're listening, and feeling for you.
 
          Take care all!  Sorry this was so long, but I haven't had a chance
          to write in a while :-) :-)
 
          Denise, Simon & Tyler.....
 
[Posted in FML issue 0635]