Hi, although I read the fml all the time, I have only posted once so far.
 
Had a lot of catching up to do lately since coming back from vacation.  Took
my (then 3) fuzzies with us from Ks to Colorado.  I had wonderfull ideas of
taking some really neat pictures of them at Garden of the Gods.  When we
arrived, the first thing we heard on the news was "3 more squarrels found
dead of Bubonic Plague"; and just 3 blocks from where we were staying!  I
about freaked.  Needless to say, my babies stayed in the hotels for the
whole trip.  I had built a good sized travel cage so they were pretty
comfortable, even though they were room bound.  I picked them up a
consolation present that they absolutely love and I hadn't found anything
like in my area or cataloges.  It's hung like a sqr hammock and looks like a
cuddly sack but open at the top instead of the side and fur lined inside.
Amazingly, at about 12" sqr, it will still hold 4 cuddling ferrets without
anyone hanging out, unless they want to.
 
Thank's for the tips on new additions.  We recently acquired a little boy
ablino kit.  I was exstatic that my fuzzies Nikki, Jewell, & Loki all took
to Falkor instantly.  I was mainly concerned about the size difference more
than anything else as all my ferts are very social and affectionate.  I also
wondered how Loki would take to having another "guy" in the group.  I need
not have worried.  After about 10-15 minutes of intense sniffing, he was one
of the bundle.  It's really been interesting to see how each personality
developed with the little newbie.  Nikki, my 1 yr old, takes the motherly
roll.  She will let him chew and roll all over her with only a slight sleepy
admonishing when Falkor gets a little too enthusiastic with the ear chewing.
Jewell, at 10 mts, takes the big sister roll.  Just like big sis will pick
on pesky little brother.  Jewell is a petite ferret so they aren't that
different in size.  Loki, my 7 mth big boy, takes a combination of pappa
ferret and all knowing big brother.  They really get kind of rough at play
but neither really hurts the other.  Just sounds like it which I now think
is a ploy Falkor uses to get someone to get him out of pinch when he's not
"winning" the game.  ;> No matter how badly he gets trounced, Falkor goes
back for more so now I will only break them up if they get too close to the
ramps in their tumbling & dragging.
 
Falkor, even at the tender age of 8 wks, deffinately can give as good as he
gets; sometimes even better with being smaller :>.  It's amusing how Falkor
will hug in next to Loki when I take them for walks.  Guess it's a big bro
security thing.
 
I was wondering about red eyes for ferrets.  All mine don't particulary care
for being out in bright lite, and I know red eyes are more sensi- tive, but
do they have a pupil/ires arrangement (cann't see any like with the others)?
Will Falkor have more problems with vision or possible blindness in the
future?.  Also, just how well do ferrets see anyway, red or black eyed?
 
I was glad to read the tip about wood pellets and TSC.  Thank you to the
person that posted that.  I checked our local TSC and get a 50# bag for
$2.99.  Will definitly beat cat litter.
 
Well, time to see who wants to go for a ride to pick up my oldest 2 legged
rug rat.
 
Enjoy!
Jean and the fuzzie bundle - Nikki, Jewell, Loki, and Falkor
[Posted in FML issue 1785]