Oh wow, seeing that post about America's Funniest Home Videos reminds me of
the first time I ever tried to bathe Nixon.  A friend and I tried to do it
together, in a bathroom sink.  (He was tiny then) It was one of the funniest
experiences I've ever had.  The two of us still wish we had recorded the
episode.  We learned a few things: 1. Always make sure their nails were
clipped recently.  I thought I was going to have permanent scratch marks on
my hands wrists and back (back will be explained later).  2. I read in one
of my first ferret books that "A sleepy ferret is a craky ferret." We came
up with a corollary "If you think a sleepy ferret is cranky, you've never
seen a wet ferret."  3. A ferret when soapy becomes next to impossible to
hold - I'm still not sure who got more wet, us or Nixon.  He kept climbing
on our shirts to get away.  More than once he got on someones shoulder and
proceeded to climb down their back.  (Every now and then he gets away from
me when trying to dry him and does this, so I always have a helper to grab
him so he doesn't fall).  So my friend took off his shirt which brings us to
number 4.  Make sure his nails are clipped (I know that's number one too,
but its important) and always wear a shirt.  Claws on your back through
clothing are hurt alot less than on just bear skin.  Lastly, 5. Try using
the bathtub, its easier to control them when they are not within paws
distance of a shirt they can use to climb on.  Although it does take some of
the "fun" out of it.  Ahh, memories....
 
Brian, Nixon ("Damn it Jim, I'm a ferret, not a porpoise"), Ashley (I am
dog, hear me bark), Quibby (Life is short, sleep hard.), Imus (I eat,
therefore I am)
[Posted in FML issue 1394]