Greeting to all on FML..
 
I am new to the list and for the last 6 weeks I have been printing and
reading and printing and reading and printing and reading..... (Read entire
day's post in evening while eating dinner and watching fuzz gang play).
 
First, I would like to introduce myself and my "busyness".  I have been
owned by my ferrets since last September and what an adventure it has been.
I downloaded "Ferret Owner's Handbook" by Dick Bossart and read from front
to back and was in a complete panic.  Started ferret-proofing all over
again, changed food, called vet, said prayers, and tried to enjoy my new
baby.  I was not prepared for all the "Thou shalt not's" and the "Thou
shalt's" that go along with owning a ferret.  Now after one year, I still
live in fear of the "beasties" lurking out there to take my babies (ADV,
insulinoma, adrenal, ECE, etc.), but have learned that good judgement,
staying educated and plenty of love have paid off.
 
Now to introduce the clan -
 
1) Duchess - bought at pet shop in NC by my youngest son (who started
this whole ferret thing); current age about 1 1/2 years old; female, MF,
dark sable; very sweet disposition (at least until we introduced Jenny,
who I will get to); alpha ferret; loves to be groomed; love chasing vacuum
cleaner, broom, etc; hates the inside of the bathtub.
 
2) Tobey - adopted 02/00 from Gimmee Shelter, Wareham, MA; age at adoption
estimated at 6 mos.; abandoned by dumpster in Brockton in cage with no food
or water; taken to Brockton MSPCA then to shelter; current age about 1 1/2
year old; male, MF, light sable (think that's right); the "little man" of
the busyness; the teacher of the clan, he shows the new ones the "ropes"
and helps them adjust to their new home; not one bad habit; loves the
bathtub (showers with me each morning), the cats, and life in general;
hates the vacuum cleaner so much that my rugs are a mess.
 
3) Tyler - adopted 8/00 from Gimmee Shelter, Wareham, MA; age at adoption
estimated at 6 mos.; turned in to the Boston MSPAC (owners said landlord
forbid letting the ferret stay) then to shelter to await vet visit before
adoption; male, MF, panda/blaze with silver mitts; and a face to die for;
he has slightly pink eyes that look like they are slightly crossed; he has
a whimsy about him and is very sensitive to mood of other ferrets (if any
of them sound like they are being hurt during play, Tyler runs over to make
sure everything is ok); loves rice box, cats, bathtub, and life in general;
haven't found anything he hates except someone being hurt or angry;
 
4) Jenny (Craig) - adopted from Gimmee Shelter, Wareham, MA 9/00; estimated
age of 6 mos.; picked up by New Bedford, MA dog pound, found wandering down
street; female, Path Valley, dark sable; was only eating Purina Kitten Chow
when I got her and we have moved on the Iams Kitten, next step is to TF or
such; didn't know Ferretone or treats, but has learned quickly; did know
cats and loves to chase them; has done extremely well socializing with
Tobey and Tyler, but Duchess...well, that's another story.  They have
their good days and their bad days, but am working hard to try to get them
to be best friends (trying lots of different things to help them adjust,
but just haven't gotten them over the top yet).
 
Phyl & The Furrats
[Posted in FML issue 3219]