I saw some heat packs in the pet store the other day.  You put them in the
microwave, heat them for a few minutes and then put them under the pets bed
for warmth.  They also cost about $15.
 
Really, this is relevant to ferrets just be patient.
 
Remember all that rice (i.e. 50 lb bags from Sam's and other warehouse
stores) that many ferrets couldn't be bothered to play in?  You can use it
to make pet bed warmers.  I'm not kidding.  Make some small bags from polar
fleece fill them with rice (not too much or it will be hard) and sew the
top shut.
 
Now you have a bed warmer that you can heat up in the microwave
(experiement with your microwave to find the right setting so it isn't too
hot.  Common sense will tell you that right from the start 3 minutes is too
much).  Just sift out any foriegn material that has gotten mixed in with
the rice.  On a cold winter night, the ferrets won't care who has played in
the rice as long as it is warm.
 
If you don't care who has played in the rice, you can make up two fleece
bags, fill them partially with rice, sew up the top, and then sew them
together at the side.  Heat it up in the microwave, slip your feet in the
opening between the two bags and your feet will stay toasty while you read
your FML.
 
This will work.  Many of those "natural" heating pads you find at the
country fairs are filled with rice or beans.
 
Roberta
[Posted in FML issue 2577]