Well, another big day!
 
Today was Mort's first day out!  There's a Harley Rally in town, and an Art
Fair going on, and all kinds of stuff down at the Canal, so my SO and I took
both boys out.  He found out why it's so fun--we were very much the center
of attention.  And he discovered that darling Pepper (he's a DEW, and looks
like the Coca-Cola polar bears, all fat, with a beautiful coat) andyway, he
found out that Pepper is a regular "babe magnet." Tactful of him to mention
that to me, huh?
 
Ah well, Mort was a peach.  Very excited, very "shell-shocked" though--he
kept climbing into the big purse I carry for them to ride in and hiding.
Sweet little guy.  He's a sable, but more than sable almost--his brown is so
dark it's almost black, and his creme has a yellowish tint that makes it
seem to glow.
 
People were especially drawn to Mort today, because they'd be exclaiming
over ever-sociable Pepper, and then Mort would pop his head out of the bag
and surprise them.  He acted so shy!
 
Mort actually fell all the way in the water fountain!  He struggled for a
second to get out, then just paddled around, happy as could be.  Pepper
thought Mort was crazy and gave me a very dirty look when I nudged him to
suggest he go for a swim, too.  He refused.  I let him off the hook this
time, though he was getting a bit warm.  Mort smelled like wet ferret + baby
shampoo--in other words, not exactly pleasant.  He spent the next hour in
the bag, licking himself like crazy.  Needs some hairball stuff now I think.
 
Canal Park Pets has little tiny velcro bandanna's for ferrets.  And I forgot
to buy one AGAIN.  I'm going to have to run back down there tomorrow.
They've only got red, though, and I really want red for Pepper and blue for
Mort.
 
One lady said about 8 times how lucky we are.  "You're so lucky, you're so
lucky." And I'm thinking, well, luck was only a very small part of the whole
deal.  And when I realized we need a new couch (because the stuffing has
been scratched out of our existing couch) and when I realize we won't get
our damage deposit back because of a great big hole in the carpet (I can get
to China, I can, I can, I can!) maybe I don't feel so lucky.
 
On the other hand, when I get sweet kodo-kisses, or walk around with a
sleeping ferret in my purse, or watch them do the dance-of-joy, chase the
dog, and follow me around the house like tiny puppies, I *do* feel very
lucky.  I feel especially lucky that my boys are in good health, aren't
biters, and that I have the fml for advice, answers to questions, and a
place to tell ferret stories.  It's wonderful to be here with you-all, and
wonderful to know that so many ferrets aren't only getting the best of care,
but getting spoiled rotton to boot.
 
I used to think hamsters were the cutest animals in the world.  And they are
cute.  But take a face similar to that of a hamster, and put it on a bigger
animal with a "NO FEAR" attitude, and you have something utterly
wonderful--ferrets.
 
I went to Canal Park today in hopes of making some of the Hog Rally people
smile.  For many of them this was a sad day, because two of their members, a
married couple, were killed in a collision on Friday night.  I'm not into
bikes or bikers, but my boyfriend had to pick up the remains of the bike,
and so the tragedy was very real to us.  And leave it to two darling little
ferrets to become the center of attention and make people laugh and smile,
and say, "What funny little dogs you have!"  (teasing us, of course, not
ignorant).
 
Everyone take care,
 
--Sheri
[Posted in FML issue 1988]