Hi all!  Help, help help!  I have 4 ferrets.  One, Portnoy, is either a
j.d., or else he's emotionally disturbed or something.  All the ferrets get
along w/ each other, and all know that if they approach/confront one of my
cats, the cat will bop them on the head (no danger, though, the cats are
declawed).
 
Anyway, Portnoy has a habit of standing right in front of the cat, waiting
to be bopped on the head w/ his eyes closed!  When the awaited bop occurs,
he hisses and tries to bite the cat, thereby getting hit on the head again,
and the cat runs away.  None of the other ferrets do this.
 
Also, Portnoy will often lay down in front of me, rest his head on my foot
as if he wants attention.   So I pet him and pick him up, and he looks at
me for awhile, then he'll try to bite my collarbone and hiss.  When I put
him down (after a scolding) he will hiss and try to bite my foot.  Then he
lays down, puts his head on my foot, and the whole thing will repeat if I
pick him up again.
 
Does anyone have any advice for me for this pathetic ferret?  He's about 10
months old, and spent the 1st 1/2 of his life in a pet store, pretty much
neglected.  He was a bad biter when I got him, but now he has some good
days where he doesn't bite.  I'd appreciate any help, thanks.
 
        Carol-Anne
 
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ad hominem:appealing to one's prejudices rather than to reason, as by
attacking one's opponent rather than debating the issue.
 
"I'm Jesus Christ with a laser gun!" - Rob Schrab, artist, creator of SCUD
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[Posted in FML issue 1300]