I read the posting about the young ferret that didn't want to hold still and
be held by anybody.  This is actually pretty common in young ferrets who
would rather get out and snoop than cuddle.  Little Nigel might prefer to
play tag with you to being petted, but it doesn't mean he doesn't like you -
and there may come a time when he will appreciate being held in safe warm
human arms.
 
My old guy Steppi - now approaching eight years - went directly from the
terrible toddler phase to rebelious adolescence.  He tried to pull up the
corners of our carpet, ran up my husband's bathrobe sleeve and bit him in
the armpit, you name it.  It took nearly two years to settle down, but he
never did become a "lap ferret." However, he did become a mellow and
friendly chap who gets along well with most other ferrets.  Of course, some
of his mellowing may have been due to getting him neutered!
 
Anyway, the range of personalities one finds in ferrets is very wide indeed,
so you should never expect the ferret you select to act just like the ferret
your friend has.  Here at Sanders' Ferret Halfway House, I occasionally get
perfectly nice, non-nipping ferrets who are turned over to me for no other
reason than something about their behavior isn't what the owner expected.
While I find that a bit irritating, I guess I must admit that if you just
can't work things out with your ferret, maybe it is better to give the
animal to a shelter rather than endlessly try to change its behavior.
Judith Sanders
[Posted in FML issue 1637]