I have had my first ferret, Katie for just over three and a half years now.
I thought I was getting pretty good at ferret-proofing, ferret psychology,
and "thinking ferret" in general.  Katie is a perfect little lady in all
ways, well OK she does miss the litter box once in a while, but what ferret
doesn't?  She has never bitten except very gently in play with me or my Dad
only.  Katie is a kisser, she'll give just about anyone a kiss if they'll
let her.  (incidentally, Katie is a MF ferret) Well, with things going so
well this last Dec.  I decided that Katie needed a little brother.
 
Enter Worf!  I had my mind made up to get a boy, and that I should get a
young kit because Katie tended to be a bit intimidated by large males due to
an unfortunate incident with an over zealous young hob coming into season.
OK, now as for color, I really was looking for a cinnamon but they're pretty
scarce here out west, and I was ready for a new baby NOW!  So when I saw
these two chubby little Siamese boys in the pet store, I pretty much knew
I'd be taking one of them home with me.  My friend Sandy and I both held and
played with the two, and I ended up picking the smaller of the two (nippy
little brats!) because of the funny little "sober" look on his face.  I told
Sandy he reminded me of Worf on Star Trek, and he instantly had his
name.(paperwork & guarantee say Worf is a New Zealand ferret) Worf spent his
first evening with his new family exiled to the litter box in Katie's pet
carrier (She was not putting up with his foolishness) at the OR Ferret Assn.
Christmas Party.  And, I think he's been making up for that indignity ever
since!
 
Now, I know that some ferrets like to climb, some like to jump.  But with
Worf it's an obsession!  He has to go UP!!!  Sometimes I'll see him staring
straight up at a picture on the wall, or even just the blank ceiling, then
he's off!  Either trying to find a route up a chair to a table to a counter,
or as he did one night (an now does all the time) climbing straight up the
curtains.  There he was six feet plus off the floor bound and determined to
make it to the top of the floor to ceiling curtains!  Sometimes he will just
climb up onto the back of Dads recliner then sit up and stretch as high as
he can get and just look up!  On many occasions Worf has made a jump of 3-4
feet wide, from the back of the couch to Mom's lap while she's sitting in
her chair.  At times he will just stand up on his hind legs against the wall
and just look up and jump.  Like he thinks he can get over that wall if he
just tries hard enough!  Last night I found him on top of our little
apartment size fridge that we keep pop in.  The only way he could have
gotten up there was to climb up on an old easy chair, jump about 2 1/2 feet
across to the seat of an exercise bike (not a very big target!) and then
another 2 foot hop to the top of the fridge!  I should note that Worf is 5
1/2 months old, and weighs over 3.5 lbs.  and he's actually a pretty lean
ferret....No excess fat on this guy!  He's absolutely fearless!
 
So, needless to say, I am totally RE-learning how to ferret-proof, realizing
I know NOTHING about ferret psychology, and am not so good at thinking like
a ferret! One thing I've learned that's invaluable...... expect ANYTHING!
when you have ferrets. ;}
 
Amy, Katie & Worf
"Here's Dookin' at you Kit!"
[Posted in FML issue 1895]