With regard to gentling and playing with the little tykes, by all means
that is the secret.  You have them for pets, they need that attention -
even if they don't know they need it.  And it is the difference you see in
the backyard dog that is forgotten and the dog that is obedience trained
and a member the household.
 
Another thing which I picked up in the last issue, is if you try something
new with the ferrets and they don't like it, don't give up for at least a
couple of tries.  Like snow.  Or outdoors.  Or even baths.  When I
discovered little Ammonia was blind within her first 2 weeks with me, we
didn't stop playing normal games and I took her places with the rest.  AT
first she didn't like visiting, she retreated to the carrier and just
escaped by going to sleep.  I promised to just try 3 more times and if she
continued to do this, she would be a strickly at home ferret.  HA, the
little bully has come out of that shell and gets more excited at club
meetings and stuff than all my others put together.  Last meeting she
founda feller she would not leave alone and pursued him all over their
house not knowing where anything was.  She chased and chased and chased
and rolled and rolled and wrestled with the best.  Oh yes, she ran into
furniture and people and was a nuisance but it was so heartwarming to see
something enjoy itself that much - and if I had given up after her first
visit........she would never have developed the confidence she has now,
what an ego!!!
 
The same goes with the outside trips.  When I discovered I had the perfect
makings of a yard for ferrets, with 3 sides walled by the house and the 4th
a brick wall to thick to burrow under, I thought all would be hotsy totsy.
My favorite photo is little Joy standing at the door looking up at the door
knob waiting to get back in.  It has such a lonely forsaken hopeful feeling
coming from it, I would put it up against Mona Lisa anytime.  But the more
they go outside, the wilder they get at time to go.  Since it is the same
time every day, they are lined up at the door - which I miss using the
squeeker to call them together but talk about letting a bunch of kids out
to recess, when the door is opened, it is streaks of light, each going to
their own little project.  I would have missed this too if I had given up
the first time or two.  Now I pay for it when it is baddd weather and they
don't get to go.
 
So, handle fondle, coo, rock, and love on those resistent little darlings
and give them more than a chance or two to learn the different activies
before giving up on them.  It will pay off with lots and lots of enjoyment.
 
Millie and her landscaping, tunneling, rearranging, noble cleaning crew
Ajax:  Okay a little "toilet" water under the arms, a little behind the
ear, hummmmmmmmmmmm  what the heck, just all over the tummy should do it
Easy Off:  }
Ammonia:       }
Cascade:           }        G  R  A  N  D  M  A  !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dizzy:             }        G  R  A  N  D  M  A  !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joy:           }
Prell:     }
Grandma:  Okay, okay, he is scheduled for the end of the month, honest
[Posted in FML issue 2576]