Hi,
 
This is my first post.  I've been reading the FML for a while now and think
it's great...the wealth of information, the sharing and comradery, etc.  I
have learned a lot, and even got to adopt a couple of nice big fellows in
response to a post (they're doing fine, Debi, and Pinky is not biting very
often now).  Many of your stories have touched me.  I was in tears after
reading about David's experience with the thoughtless neighbor and her bug
spray.  I can't even imagine his anguish and anger.  I no longer live in an
apartment but, if I did, I think I'd want to ask the manager about their
policy regarding residents' use of insecticides, fumigants, etc., on their
own, and I'd also want to know how well they communicate and enforce any
prohibitions .  David's loss was horrific, but there may be health sequelae
down the road for others who were sleeping peacefully in their beds that
night (especially the babies, children, and smaller pets).  I called my vet
to report David's story because I think the word should get out about the
dangers of these sprays, and she (a ferret owner herself) was horrified.
Maybe if we all learn from this (it sure opened my eyes), there will be a
"silver lining" to David's tragedy.
 
I also want to let Geoff know that the accident with the chair resulting in
Rikis death was just that - an accident - and that he shouldn't beat
himself up about it.  Over the years that I have had ferrets, I have done
things that could have been disasterous, but I was lucky, and I learned
from those experiences.  I think most of us can relay a story or two of
actions we took or failed to take which, in retrospect, seemed careless.
When ferrets roam the house (and they are so much happier given that
opportunity), they are exposed to many more risks and dangers than when
they are confined, and it is very hard to foresee all of them.  If Riki
could return, I know she'd forgive you, Geoff, and thank you for the nice,
well-loved life she had with you, and for taking the very best care of her
and her buddies that you could.
 
Now, I could use some help...and I'm sort of embarrassed to ask, since,
with all my years of ferret "ownership" (or is it the other way around?),
I like to think of myself as an expert.  I have never really resolved the
litter box thing.  My ferrets only seem to use the boxes reliably when they
are confined to the point that their food, water, and sleeping quarters
would be contaminated if they relieved themselves anywhere but where they
should (as in the double-wide rabbit hutch they are confined to sometimes).
The four of them live in a linoleum-floored room , however, and are
frequently out in the house, much of which is carpeted.  I have to admit
here that I'm not very good at following my beasties around too closely
in disciplinarian mode; I work a couple of jobs and have little free time,
so I usually just want to play with them when they're out in the house for
an hour or so once or twice each weekday, and for longer periods on the
weekends.  Are there others out there who have had any luck with "lazy"
methods of litter box training.  I've tried scattering food and water
bowls, toys, and nest areas around their room, but that doesn't seem to
help much.  Given an abundance of space, my ferrets seem pretty lazy, too!
(I'm generalizing here...they do vary in terms of their willingness to seek
out a litter box.) I suppose I could just hang up a white flag and start
papering the entire floor.  (Incidentally, I do use newspaper (no colors)
as a litter box material.  I tried "Yesterday's News" but the beasties
didn't seem interested in it, except for one, who tried to eat it, so they
don't have access to that anymore.  If anyone out there has some ideas, I'd
love to hear them!
 
Susan Cooper
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[Posted in FML issue 3413]