Ok, I'm sorry I started it.  Just one last statement about my sources for
info on these wild ferrets-- I do not in fact know how my vet knew about
the ferret in the Laurentians, but she is a ferret specialist and seemed
pretty certain of it.  My friend's uncle at Sault Ste.  Marie is in fact
in the fur business (that's why the rabbits) amd I would think he'd know
his minks and his polecats (I'm curious about polecats, as an aside-- I
looked them up in my Peterson's guide, but they aren't native to North
America.  Do people raise them on a widescale basis?  This is not part of
the wild ferret thresd, it's a request for info).  Also the Ojibwa man
killed the animal that had killed his rabbits, and supposedly has the
skin, so if I'm ever passing through I'll check it out, not that I'm a
mustellid expert.  Also if you've ever taken your ferrets out for nightime
walks, you'll see a completely different animal-- it's an eye-opener.  So,
this for me is the end of discussion.  I still think individual ferrets
could live in the wild, perhaps not for long, and certainly not colonies
(although that barn place sounds great fun!)
  On to airlines-- I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I just
received a catalog from Sherpa's Pet Trading COmpany, manufacturer of
the Sherpa Bag Pet Carrier.  The company claims that the Sherpa Bag is
the approved carry-on carrier for the following airlines: Air Canada,
Alaska, American, America West, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA,
United, and US Air.  The designer was a flight attendant before starting
her own business.  So, if you're traveling and have one of these bags,
maybe mentioning it would help.  Incidentally, thanks to those who wrote
to me about the Sherpa Bag-- it looks great, but a big stretch for my
student budget.  I just got WWW access and saw the 'cut-out pocket'
gym bag carrier and think I will go that route.
  One last thing-- I was preparing to doctor up Amelia's Petromalt with
Linatone, but before I had opened the bottle she ran up and scarfed
down the Petromalt.  Maybe just the sight of them together made the
"treat" connection in her mind!
 
Regina Harrison, valet to Miz Amelia Ferret
grad student in anthropology, McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, still Canada :-)
[Posted in FML issue 1184]