Ferret math hit our family this week-end, actually it started last week.  I
took my big ole Duke dog and two tiny ferrets, Noodles and Shadow, to the
veterinarian.  The dog had an ear infection and the ferts needed their
yearly immunizations.  While we were still in the waiting room, Dr. Orvick
stopped to say, " Hello, nice day, would you like another ferret?" My
response - my husband will kill me (we also have three cats, birds, and a
lizard).  By the time we were in the treatment room, I'm asking him about
the ferret.  It seems this lady had brought it in for shots and because it
had cut itself on glass.  The ferret had belonged to her son who was living
in an apartment and not being responsible for him.  So she was looking for a
home for the ferret.  ( Unfortunately, I believe this is going to be a big
problem in Madison, Wisconsin - since we now have a PetWorld that always has
30 plus ferrets for sale.) Anyway, I called the lady the next day and talked
to her about the ferret.  She had mixed feelings on what she wanted to do
about it - she had a dog, rats, and birds, and younger children, but did
think the the ferret was adorable.  .  A week later she called me, and said
that she couldn't deal with the ferret's pooping all over.  I printed out
the Ferret's motto: If it moves, bite it, if it runs, jump on it, if it
squeaks, hide it, and if it does nothing, then for Heaven's sake poop on it"
I picked him up Friday night - what a beautiful ferret!  He is a sable with
black legs and tail, and the funniest cutest face with the mask coming down
his forhead, extending out around the eyes going almost to his nose, and
then dark brown freckles on spots of white around his nose and mouth.  He is
five months old - Noodles and Shadow are about two years old.  When I
brought him in the house, he was surrounded by cats, big dog, and a nasty
little silver-mitt - half the new one's size - chasing and biting him, and
then the cats would get in on the chase.  Great fun for almost all - Shadow,
the Albino fert slept through the whole thing.  When he tripped over the new
one several hours later - he said, "Duh!" Shadow is really laid back and
they rough and tunbled played for awhile, and then everything was fine.
Now, three days later, everyone is doing fine - a little more activity since
Dusty is more of a baby, be it a big baby boy!  Oh, and by the way, when I
brought him into the house, I told my husband that he wouldn't be staying -
that I would find him a home.  Right!!
[Posted in FML issue 1660]