Part 3 of Ferret Survival Necklace.  Part 2 on FML No. 2694
 
2.) Too Loose.  Unclip the existent steel ball from the linking clip that
is on the end of the ball- chain and withdraw about 4 balls into the
linking clip, thereby enlarging the FSN.  Snap into place the 5th ball into
the linking clip, while at the same time allowing the surplus ball-chain to
dangle freely from the linking clip.  Now with the enlarged FSN attempt
again to dress the ferret by slide-rolling it over his head and ears down
onto his neck.  In all likelihood the FSN will go on right over his head
and ears with utmost ease.  Most ferrets find the sudden dressing with a
strange device about its neck less than desirable and will go to some
exuberant efforts to slide out of it as quickly as possible.  Of course, if
this happens, then obviously, the FWN is much too loose and needs to be
tightened.
 
3.) Just right.  In the two steps preceeding, the FSN was too tight and
then, after adjustment, it was too loose.  To get it sized "just right" all
that remains is to decouple the ball-chain and reduce the size by about 2
balls and then try to dress the ferret again.  When sized "just right" the
FSN can be rolled and slid over the head and ears with some little
difficulty and then down around the ferret's neck and into the neck fur.
Hooray!  Success at last.
 
REACTION.  Most ferrets accomodate to the FSN in a few minutes and appear
to be somewhat bemused by the tinkle of the bell, some of them coming to
a complete stop every time the bell first tinkles.  It's just as though
they're trying to figure out where the sound of that tinkling is coming
from with every step they take.  Others may go into jumping, rolling,
belly-chest rubbing contortions that suggest the utmost distain possible
for this "newfangled dinglingie thingie." It is amazing that all of them,
even the most piqued ones seem to accept it in a few minutes or so and go
on with their lives just as though nought has happened.
 
UKPKEEP.  It is recommended that every few weeks or so the FSN be removed
by backrolling it over the ferret's ears and head.  This should be done to
make sure that it is removable, that no irritation has developed around the
ferret's neck and that the FSN is not wearing a worn groove mark in the
neck fur.  A little brushing and massaging would be most appreciated.  When
all is A-OK, the FSN may be reinstalled after it is checked for cleanliness
and smoothness.
 
ADAPTATION.  For the intact, non-neutered ferrets that are exposed to
outdoor temperatures, one should check that the FSN is still sized
properly.  This is important because such ferrets do display significant
body and fur changes seasonally.  They do put on insulating fat in the fall
and winter along with a winter coat.  Hence the size of the neck does vary
considerably for such ferrets, moreso than the fixed ferrets that are
strictly indoor bound.  And, of course, the inverse is true in the spring
and summer when body-size reductions and coat thinnings may appear to make
the FSN somewhat "looser."
 
SURVIVABILITY.  In conclusion, it is hoped that ferrets dressed in a Ferret
Survival Necklace will survive being lost.  That their lives will be spared
and that no injuries will come to them from humans who are not familiar
with ferrets who come unto them, perhaps suddenly, for food, water and
solace.  Without that survival necklace and a little tinkling bell, a
surprised human may take them to be a wild and viscous animal , possibly
rabid, and about to attack them.  A surprized human's reaction to a
"strange wild animal" placing its paws on their shoe may result in the
worst kind of tragic response towards the little ferret.  The ferret,
wearing its tinkling bell necklace may reveal to an alarmed human that this
little creature is not a wild, menacing animal, but obviously somebody's
beloved and dear pet.  Perhaps the most endearing quality about the little
"tinkling thingie" is that you, as the owner of the ferret, have a pretty
good idea just where in the house your little guy or girl is, as you listen
to the "tinkler" running down the hallway and investigating one room after
another, or perhaps worse, hearing that "tinkler" somewhere outside the
house when that's not where he's supposed to be!
 
AVAILABILITY.  The finished Ferret Survival Necklace and the hand-drawn
illustrations (or replacement parts) is available through the mail.  Please
contact the Ferret Endowment for Rehabilitation, Research, Education &
Training Society NorthWest @ 4321 86th Avenue, S.E., Carol Lane, Mercer
Island, WA, 98040-4124.  Phone and fax [206] 232-1228.  A minimal
contribution is suggested to cover costs, mailing and handling.  Additional
information: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2696]