Additional information about ferrets not included in issue 132 for Chris:
 
Ferrets are illegal in Mass. although I know people who have them in the state
and haven't had any trouble.  A good place to buy ferrets in the New England
area seems to be Burlington, Vermont.  I purchased my little albino from a pet
store in Essex Jct (outside of Burl).  My brother's also came from Burlington.
 
If you want the name of the place, let me know and I'll get it.  I would
recommend buying a ferret from a place that is familiar with ferrets.  This
pet store actually has a "permanent store ferret".  There also is a good vet
in Essex which my brother takes his ferret to.  My vet is in Norwich, Vermont
who I would highly recommend (in case you can't find any good vets closer to
you).
 
As for getting along with other animals, "Polar Bear" has only been briefly
introduced to the dog and two cats also in the house.  He stays in my room the
majority of the time and is brought downstairs to play when all the other
animals are gone or behind closed doors.  This was the case until last night
when I arrived home and found the door to my room wide open!  I must not have
closed it tightly and because he was out of the cage decided to try the door.
I checked my room and then saw one cat coming out of the room next door.  Then
appeared Polar looking fine except for the devilish look on his face.  He must
of had a ball because that room is the messiest in the house and DEFINITELY
NOT ferret proof!
 
The only bad habit my ferret has is getting inside sofas and chairs from
underneath.  He then digs in there for a while and if he's tired takes a nap
(far enough back so he's difficult to reach).  The tricks I use to keep track
of him when he's racing around or where I don't want him are his squeekee toy,
which he loves, and Linatone which is better than the toy.  It's expensive
($10.50 a bottle) but in the past seven months he hasn't even had 1/4 of the
bottle. This also works good when clipping nails.  At least my ferret is as
happy as a baby with a bottle when he gets some linatone.
 
The only trick I've taught my ferret is to climb up onto my shoulder.  I still
haven't gotten him to stay there for any length of time though.
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0134]