>Should I prevent him from tub-licking?
 
I don't think it is necessary to stop him from licking the tub.  Both my
ferrets would wait outside the shower every morning until I got done and as
soon as I would open the shower door, they would march right in and start
licking the water off my feet and toes and of the shower floor.  This was a
morning ritual and both of them are very healthy.  They did that for years
and now that they reside in Texas, I really find that I do miss their little
faces outside the shower every morning.  It just got my day started on a
happy note.
 
>Help my ferrets smell and I might have to get rid of them.
 
Just a personal note from a mother of three teenagers.  My kids bring home
all kinds of hurt and abandoned animals and I have never gotten upset with
them, I think the neighborhood thinks we are running a miniture S.P.C.A
here.  But what made you think that your parents wouldn't get upset, haven't
you read any of your FML mail?  Don't you realize the potential vet bills
you could run into with two ferrets?  Are you expecting your parents to foot
the bill?  Maybe you should have talked to your parents first before getting
a ferret and started with one.  I found that most children that love animals
have parents that also love animals.  You could have probably easily talked
them into getting you a ferret rather then sneaking them in.  Which by the
way wasn't nice to the ferrets who now will have to get used to another home
as soon as you find somebody to take them.  Try reasoning with your parents,
pay for the food and the upkeep and let your parents play with them.  They
will hopefully charm their way into your parents heart's just like most
people.
 
Sorry I really didn't mean to sound like a mother, I do really love all
animals.  I am usually the one in our family that brings home more pets.
 
Ilona Maggard, currently ferretless in California
[Posted in FML issue 1686]