WELL, THAT FERRET MATH HAS STRUCK AGAIN...
MADE THE MISTAKE OF GOING TO THE PET STORE (HAD TO GET FOOD FOR MY ROPE
FISH) IN A SAD MOOD.  MY MOMMA COCKATIEL HAD A TUSSLE WITH ONE OF MY CATS
MONDAY AND, AFTER A VALIANT EFFORT ON HER PART AND LOTS OF LOVING CARE FROM
US & AN EXCELLENT VET, TOOK TO THAT BIG TREE IN THE SKY LEAVING DADDY BIRD,
2 BABIES, AND 3 HUMANS SADDLY MISSING HER BUT GLAD THAT SHE IS NOT IN ANY
PAIN.  I DIDN'T THINK THEY HAD ANY FUZZIES IN TILL NEXT WEEK SO THOUGHT I
WAS SAFE.  LO & BEHOLD, THEY HAD THE SWEETEST, MOST BEAUTIFULLY MARKED 8WK
SILVER MITT THAT HAD JUST ARRIVED.  BY THE TIME THE GUY GOT THE MINNOWS
READY, MISSY WAS READY TO GO TOO.
 
NOW THE QUESTION.  RECENTELY I HAD GOTTEN A PRAIRIE DOG.  HE IS ONLY 13
WEEKS OLD AND AS YET HAS NO FEAR OR CONCEPT OF PREDITOR/PREY RELATIONSHIPS.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE INTIGRATED DIGGER WITH MY FUZZIES AS BOTH SPECIES ARE
VERY SOCIAL ANIMALS, BUT NOT SURE THAT WOULD BE VERY SAFE AS SOME OF THE
BOYS PLAY REALLY ROUGH, ESPECIALLY MY STILL INTACT BABY RUFIO.  WITH DIGGER
BEING OF THE RODENT FAMILY WHICH IS A NATURAL PREY IN THE WILD, I THOUGHT
THIS MIGHT BE DISASTOROUS.  HOWEVER, SINCE DIGGER IS VERY YOUNG AND MISSY IS
ONLY 8 WEEKS OLD & VERY SWEET TEMPERED, I WAS WONDERING IF I MIGHT BE ABLE
TO INTRODUCE THEM TO EACH OTHER, SLOWLY & CLOSELY MONITORED OF COURSE.  I
KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFULL CROSS SPECIES FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN
FERRETS & CATS, DOGS, ETC., BUT WOULD "INNOCENT" FERRET KITS & PRAIRIE DOG
KITS BE PUSHING IT?  SO FAR THEY HAVE SNIFFED EACH OTHER THROUGH THE CAGE
WITH NO SIGN OF AGGRESSION.  HAS ANYONE EVER TRIED THIS?  ANY INSIGHTS ON
THE IDEA WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
 
ENJOY!
JEAN AND THE HOUSE OF MANY CRITTERS
[Posted in FML issue 2043]