Ferrets are legal to own in South Carolina, no permits needed.  But it is
illegal to sell them in the state, so they shouldn't be selling them in
petstores!
 
For ferrets exhibiting DFS (dead ferret syndrome), also known as SND
(sleeping not dead), one way to wake them gently is to place your
fingertips lightly over their nostrils.  Even though their breathing
may be slow and difficult to detect, after a few seconds they will rouse
pretty quickly, and usually sneeze on you to boot!
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin, OH
[Posted in FML issue 3077]