Hellp everyone,
 
I've only been subscribed to this list for a short time now.  But I have a
question that maybe you can help on.  I had a ferret about 3 years ago that
I got at a pet store in the neighborhood(this store has since then been shut
down).  At the time I got him, I lived with a roommate who though he would
get along with my new friend.  Well, this was not the case.  The ferret did
not like him and he hated the ferret.  After much fighting between my roomie
and the ferret (his name is Erp) my roommate decided to solve the situation
by throwing him accross the room and against a wall, chipping two of his
little teeth.
 
Being in a sticky situation myself, I decided to find a suitable home for my
now mistreated ferret, and I did.  I gave him to a couple who has cared for
him for three years now and visited him regularly.  The couple has actually
gotten Erp a playmate (Socks, another ferret).  Unfortunately, my friends
are moving into an apartment that does not allow pets and they recently had
a new baby and do not have the time for Erp and his friend anymore.  They
found someone who will take Socks but not Erp because he has a ferret
already and does not want three.
 
My evil roommate has since left the state and I have gotten married to
wonderful guy who is also friends with the couple that adopted Erp (sorry if
this is getting confusing).  Together we have a dog, 8 cats, 2 hedgehogs, 2
chinchillas, a rabbit, a sugar glider, a collared lizard, 10 gerbils, and a
fish tank.  And they are ALL very well taken care of and loved.  My husband
loves animals as much as I do. He suggested we take Erp back rather him
going to a shelter.
 
Taking him back poses a few question for me:
1.  Will being seperated from his human family and his ferret playmate be
too traumatic for him, even though he is coming back to his original home
(he is about 3 1/2 years old now)?
2.  Will he remember all of his animal friends in our home and get along
with them like he used to?
3.  Is there anything special I can do to make this transition as smooth as
possible for him?
 
He will be coming home the first week of May, so I have plenty of time to
prepare for him.  I wish I could go pick him up today.  I have his cage
cleaned out and ready (its the two story ferret/chinchilla kind).
 
Well, thanks in advance for all your help
 
Alex and the zoo
[Posted in FML issue 1534]