Hi Everyone!
 
On Saturday I was at the Ferret Aid Society for Randy's birthday.  While I
was there I spent some time in the ferret room doing the usual cleaning
poopie boxs, changing water bottles etc.  Randy is over worked and can use
all the help she can get!  While I was there I fell madly in love with a new
ferret named Lancelot and decided he had to come home with me!  The next day
I discussed this with my SO and he met Lancelot and although we had decided
to wait until Footsie was 1 yr old to bring another ferret into the house,
we decided that we just could not pass up on Lancelot.  So, later this week,
I am picking him up from the shelter.  Here is my problem:
 
For anyone who is unfamilar with me, I have two ferrets Footsie and Oakley.
Oakley is a shelter ferret who came to live with us in May.  When we brought
him home he and Footsie immediatly got along.  No problems, no worries.  One
day a few weeks ago, Randy came by my house and brought two of her boys with
her to play with my ferrets.  Oakley, who is ordinarilly a fairly laid back
ferret, was very upset with these boys and started a few fights where he got
very nasty and bit hard.  I had to put him away in the ferret room.
Understand, when Oakley and Footsie wrestle he always lets her win even
though he has a pound on her and could easily thump her.  He does not even
bite her.  I suspect the reason he was upset with Randy's boys is because he
was feeling territorial.  Oakley is a moody, intraverted ferret who does not
like it when his world is changed and he can stress out and go off his food
when this occurs.  For two days after Randy left, Oakley slept most of the
time and was off his food a bit which is a clear indication of stress with
him.
 
So here is my question.  Does anyone have experience with integrating this
type of ferret with another?  Paige Townsend has been kind enough to share
some of her experieces with me but I would like to hear from a few others
who have had similar ferrets.  I realize it is going to take time and
patience which I have tons of.  My big worry is going to be Oakley and how
he feels.  Footsie and Lancelot will both be fine since they are very
similar in attitude and I am certain they will get along great.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Cindy Smith
The Terrible Tag-Team Twosome (soon to be threesome) - Footsie and Oakley
[Posted in FML issue 2383]