A lot of people have had trouble getting an established ferret to accept
a new one in the household.  Awhile ago Mikette (my first ferret) sent an
e-mail to someone with such a problem.  She wanted to share her little
story and advice with everyone, in hopes that it will help other ferrets
get along and realize that their fuzzie enemy may have great buddy
potential afterall.
 
(-:     Risa
 
My name is Mikette, I'm a first ferret too (-:  When I was a year old my
Mommy got a second kit.  I loved that little baby right from the start!
Then 6 months later we got a third ferret, Jillie, from a shelter.  I
don't know what my Mommy had been thinking.  I was NOT happy!
 
I had to tell this new ferret (who was big like me) that I was the boss.
I bit her on the neck all the time to remind her.  I was making Jillie sad
(sorry Jillie) and Mommy upset.  But I couldn't help it.  I really hated
her smell too, she smelled so different from being at the shelter.
 
Mommy would switch our bedding a lot to get our scents familiar and mixed
up.  But I still didn't like that stinky Jillie.  Sometimes Mom would put
ferret deoderant on Jillie and I to help us smell the same.  That helped
but only for a little while at a time.  Mommy learned to clean Jillie's
ears well, cause thats where a lot of her different stink was coming from.
 
Finally she tricked me and put ferretone on her neck.  Boy was I
conflicted.  I didn't know whether to bite her or kiss her.  That really
worked.  I'll do a lot of things for that yummy ferretone.  Now me and
Jillie is great buddies!  That was almost two years ago, (hey our
anniversary is coming up!) and we've been snuggling ever since.
 
Good luck with your little pal there.
 
PS Poor little Jillie was stressed from me being so mean to her.  But Mom
kept her weight and spirits up with special cuddle time and hand feedings
of Duck Soup.  Anyone need the recipe?
[Posted in FML issue 3735]