Do I have a ferret that poofs? YES On a regular basis - yes! I think
her scent glands work quite well!

Ellee is one of the most lovable little girls that I have and is very
special. I somehow ended up with her at the Ferrets with Soule get
together the year before last. She was about 2 1/2 years old then and
had been used for breeding. Her daughter was in the playpen next to
her. Both were up for adoption and both were BITERS. The mother more
than the daughter. They had covers on their playpens so that
unsuspecting ferret lovers wouldn't reach in for a pet or a lick!.
No chance of that!! (Both were adopted!)

As I'm soft of heart and feel that everyone needs a chance, I asked
Linda if I could try holding the mother, Elle May (I changed her name
to Ellee - my version). Linda advised me to do so at my own risk. So I
managed to pick her up and though her little head was whipping every
which way trying to find a fang-hold, I managed to hold her the length
of my forearm and keep her head secure. After about an hour, she fell
asleep.

Linda said I had to take this little one and give her a home. Just what
I needed! Of course I always have a carrier in my car but did I really
want a vicious BITER? But I thought who else needs loving and a good
home like this one did. So home she went with me. She poofed a lot!!!!

Now this was not an immediate happy ending - she didn't like anyone -
my husband, cats, not other ferrets (poofing at least 3+ times/day)-
basically she was afraid of everything and would bite/attack before
anyone had a chance to get her.

It took lots of handling, (yes and a few bites), lots of loving, and
then choosing other gentle ferrets to try out as companions. Over the
next 6 months she became very loving and then over the next year I was
able to assimilate her with 3 other gentler companions. Still poofing!!

Once we moved out to WI, I began the task of trying to merge her with
my large group of 15 ferrets (1 of whom she really doesn't like but
will tolerate as long as she's left alone). There is still poofing on
a daily/nightly basis. She also has gentle little sleepy poofs too.

So to your question - my sweet little Ellee can poof right up there
with the natural mustelids and even skunks. In spite of that, she will
always be with me and have a special place in my heart, and a home she
can feel safe in!

Loree in WI

[Posted in FML 7004]