Our alphas (sequential) have found it essential that the area by the front
door be marked, so we just put down newspaper so that everyone can be happy.
 
When they are ill or handicapped carry them for walks and let them bump
things and head-rub things.
 
Also, in those cases don't forget to make them stink sacks; put an
assortment of edible fresh herbs or edible flowers (such as Violets -- not
African Violets, Oriental Edible Mums, Rose petals, Nasturiums), or both
into a paper bag and let them enjoy the crinkly noises and the smells.
 
For cardiomyopathy patients we buy those teeny-tiny fur covered toy mice
(only about the size of the last half of thumb) and we remove the fakes
eyes and nose from each.  They help release frustration, but are light
weight enough to not strain them.
 
The smell of a bouquet of carnations are loved by all of our ferrets.
 
Music can help calm them.  Most of our's have prefered female singers and
plucked music, but there's variation in tastes.  They even like us the sing
to them and Steve and I sound pretty terrible.  If you have a theremin or a
bagpipe or such in the house, close their door when you play.
 
I loved it when Juliana noticed that an abused one had been kicked so she
placed the cage up high on a head level, and when Susie noticed one had
suffered from hands so she'd wrap her in a fleece blanket instead of
touching her directly.  Warp had a fear of our slicker (She had been abused
before coming here.) so we put it on the floor and let her beat the hell
out of it.  Let Harley who had been kicked in a previous home do the same
with our shoes.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2247]