Hi all, my name is Gizmo (and I think my last name is Badweasel because my
dad is always saying "Gizmo.........bad weasel").
 
This is my first posting and just wanted to say hello.  I am a 2.5 lb M and
I've just celebrated my first Adoption Day.  I'm an only (weasel) child but
that's OK because I get *all* of the attention.  I'm a sable and dad says
that I'm "too darn cute".
 
I've been spending most of the time sleeping lately because it has been so
hot (Its summer down here).  The only time that I have been really active is
in the morning and very late at night.  My favorite treats are mangos and
mango ice-cream.  My favorite game is to be scruffed inside a plastic bag
(one of these days my tail is going to come off).  Nail clipping and baths
are a real turn off.
 
Speaking of baths, we have noticed that there have been many postings about
how often we should be bathed.  All that I can say is, I always seem to get
a bath when my Dad picks my up for a cuddle, falls down, and takes a short
nap.  (Do you think that he is trying to tell my something?)
 
The only time that I spend in my cage is over night and when Mom and Dad are
out.  The cage isn't too bad.  Three floors.  First floor is the bathroom,
second floor is a bedroom and the third floor is the hammock and sun room.
 
Well, that all from me for now.  Dad says that he wants to say
something......... (Where did I put that piece of mango......).
 
Hi, I'm John, Gizmo's Dad.
 
I've been reading FML for some time but have never got around to posting.  I
thought that you may be interested in knowing the status of ferrets in
Australia.
 
Ferrets are not yet well accepted as house pets in this country yet but the
movement is growing.
 
For the last hundred years or so ferrets here have been a working animal,
mainly used for the eradication of rabbits (rabbits have caused
environmental havoc to our farm lands in the past and continue to do so).
As working animals they have been caged when not working and often not well
cared for.  As a result they have gained a reputation as being smelly and
vicious.  There are many "old wives tales" about horrific injures being
inflicted by ferrets in out folklore and, like many such tales, they have
little bases in reality.  However, working ferrets often 'do bite'.
Fortunately, people are beginning to realize that they are being kept as
pets and the media coverage of late has been positive.
 
Fortunately, in Australia, we do not have to worry about rabies.  I just
isn't here (yet).  Some states have outlawed ferrets, not on health issues,
but on misguided environmental issues.  This is partly because Australia
has, in the past, had a very bad track record when it comes to introduced
animals.
 
Before Europeans came to Australia there were very few predators among the
fauna.  The introduction of dogs, cats, foxes and others has caused the
decimation many species, resulting in the attitude, introduced animal = BAD.
Even though many ferrets have escaped captivity over the years, there are no
feral ferrets in Australia.  Unfortunately most people here do not realize
this and still label them as "BAD".
 
Well, that's all from me for now.  The posting was a bit longer than I
expected, sorry.  If any Fuzzy owners want to chat person to person the
e-mail is [log in to unmask]
 
Bye, John
 
(Gizmo)- I'm back.  I just had a very traumatic experience.  I was walking
around the edge of the bathtub minding my own business and suddenly slipped.
I ended up in the tub with Mom.  She jumped out yelling and I sunk to the
bottom blowing bubbles.  Luckily Dad wasn't far away and dragged me out.  It
was terrible.  My hole life flashed before my eyes (...........so, that's
where I left that piece of mango).
[Posted in FML issue 2194]