Hello FML - have been reading up on back issues of FML & a few did not come
in so have only bits and pieces of some of the action going on.  And, yes,
o.k. so some I scan thru pretty quickly.
 
For Dr. Mick - natural selection on eating, huh?  Will not over-eat, huh?
Only humans do this.  Well, please tell my ferrets about this.  I advised
them of your letter.  They just snickered and went behind the bed to finish
eating the can of Pounce cat treats Sweet Hart had opened for them.  I have
twice had bad tummy upsets in all or most of my ferrets when Sweet Hart
stole 2 lb.  cans of raisins and opened them in one of his secret hidding
places so everyone could pig out.  Ever see ferret poop made up entirely of
raisin skins?  Sweet Hart does not need to use tools as recently discussed
on these pages.  His large jaw spread mouth is his tool.  He can open
anything.  This includes large storage cans in which I mix my feed -- Huge
Iams cans designed to store dog food.  He simply works around the rim until
he pops off the lid.  He prefers to eat directly from storage rather than
bowls.  Biting thru Nutrical tubes is o.k.  for most of my hoyidans, but
Sweet Hart can take off the top and squeeze the tube by standing on it or
biting hard on it.  Nothing in my house is safe -- and no place is good for
storage since they can climb to cupboards and open the doors.  A hiding
place is just another short term challenge.
 
Robin - I can sympathize with your frustration over having the litter box
moved from the corner so a fuzzy could poop on the carpet.  I have several
who move the litter boxes out of corners because they are blocking their
potty spots.  Only solution I have found is to put down newspapers under the
box and in the corner - a bit up the wall.  Sunday advertising supplements
in your paper are good for this.
 
Chris - Sounds like you have either a cinnamon mitt, a chocolate mitt, or a
silver mitt.  The white hairs with darker at the hindquarters you describe,
is feathering most frequently seen in heavy silver mitts or sable mitts.
The white undercoat is more indicative of a silver or sable mitt -- but the
taupe guard hairs are seen in chocolate or cinnamon.  Cinnamon would have
guard hairs showing red or reddish brown (Hold to light best to see color)
and chocolate would have range from warm honey to deep chocolate.  You
probably have a "mixture" such as shading of chocolate and silver.  Is all
this clear?  Sometimes it is hard for even the best experts to decide on
color, and ferrets varying significantly from color standards set by various
show groups are often referred to as "mutts".  This should not be insulting.
Many of us who have a number of ferrets and breed, vie heavily with other
breeders in the Mutt Specialty for the Best Mutt -- that is the ferret most
off on color standard.  We breed for health and purity, but have fun with
our odd colored ferrets.  Go figure.
 
Regarding ferrets scratching legs and feet under the covers, this is a
chronic condition in my house.  Since most of my ferrets stay out and many
sleep with me, I have plenty of annoying experiences with this problem.  My
legs usually look like I've been running bare legged thru bramble bushes.  I
think it is natural for most animals to "scratch up their bed" before
settling down.  Also, since this behavior is often accompanied by little
nips - it may be a form of affection too.  Ferrets who scratch too hard
usually end up suddenly on the floor.  This, unfortunately, seldom deters
them for long.  Sigh.
 
Theresa - Your crying baby is normal.  After leaving his litter mates behind
and quickly learning to love his new friends, he naturally does not want to
be put away where he cannot reach you.  Either he will outgrow this soon, or
you will cave in and let him stay out with you as he wants too..  Of course,
the best solution is to get him a young playmate of his own kind.  Two
ferrets are as easy as one : )
 
Bob - You are not alone with your "ferret virus".  This is a very serious
compulsive disorder often seen in ferret owners.  I, too, suffer from this
syndrome.  Recently, I tried to join FAA (Ferret-aholics Anonomous), but was
kicked out because I did not have enough.  Seems that as ferrets go, you
must own 25 or more to be considered to have a serious disorder.  To give
you an idea, I thought I owned 16 (they move too fast to get an accurate
count), but was surprised to learn when making a role call list that I had
17!  Help.  I missed out on whatever caused the "flame" about big boned
ferrets -- but my German and Canadian ferrets are larger and with heavier
bones than their American cousins.  I have an early neutered Canadian jill
(sprite) who is in winter coat and tops four pounds.  Just imagine how big
she might have been had she not been neutered at 4 weeks.  My German hob
goes over 5 pounds at top weight, and this is all muscle and bone.  My
forefinger and thumb can barely circumference his tail.  Black Hawk, an
American bred hob is large boned and heavily muscled, but not as big as the
German.  My heaviest breeding jill is 2-1/2 pounds and my smallest is under
a pound.  All are American origin except one who is part German.  One 3
month old part-German hob shows promise of being nearly as large as dear old
dad.  I don't pretend to know why imported ferrets are often larger than
their American cousins - but I have some guesses.
 
Debi - I could not finish reading your letter.  It was too painful.  You
said the other day when you went in the room to see Logan..........  I was
struck by that comment.  How often does anyone go to see Logan and does he
ever get any care whatsoever.  How often is he fed?  From your letter - this
seems random.  Of course he is not social.  He is severely traumatized.  Any
of us who rescue have dealt with ferrets like Logan.  It breaks my heart.
You have to do something about this situation, or I do not see how you can
live with yourself.  I don't know where you are writing from, but get the
ferrets to a shelter, if you know of one.  If not, let us know where you are
so we can help you.  You were brave to write out on FML about this
situation.  Now be strong.  Those of us who care on line will not let you
down.  Contact me at anytime.  Contact Pam Grant for a shelter in your area,
or any who have spoken out on line about this situation.  You know what you
have to do.  My telephone numbers are 703-765-4343 or 703-765-3112.  Pam
Grant can be reached at STAR [log in to unmask] If your boyfriend attempts to
abuse you, call the police.  It is against the law to abuse humans or
animals.  You can file charges, or you can just get yourself and the ferrets
away.  Please do not delay.  Please do something now.  Honey, I stood down
armed men to rescue two stolen ferrets -- you can get two ferrets away from
your boyfriend.  meg
[Posted in FML issue 1403]