I was so inspired by all of you who wrote in, describing the joys of washing
your ferrets in the bathtub or shower--how it's enjoyable and reassuring for
the little guys.  .  .so I thought I'd try it with Emmett.
 
Filled the tub with nice warm water and climbed in with him.
 
He was afraid of the shower, because of the noise--so I turned it off.
 
He was afraid of the faucet running, also, so I turned it off.
 
He didn't want to play with the toys ("Look, Em, a floating shampoo bottle!")
but preferred trying to climb up me (good thing I'd just clipped his claws!)
 
I could see this wasn't going to work out, so I got out, and Em tried to
climb up and out by way of the shower curtain.
 
When that didn't work, he looked up at me as I was dressing, and pooped in
the bath water.
 
"It's rubber hoses for you, guy!" I told him, and whisked him to the usual
bath place--the double sink with plastic dish pan on one side and rubber
shower spray hose on the other.  Meek as a little lamb, he took his regular
bath peacefully and seemed happy to be out of the tub!
 
I am happy for all of you who are able to have a pleasurable experience with
the big tub or shower (well, okay, I'm a tad envious--it sounds like such a
nice human-ferret bonding-experience and playtime).  .  .but for those of
you who tried it and failed--well, don't be discouraged!
 
Kate and Emmett
[Posted in FML issue 1494]