I should have pointed out that the person who mentioned to us the
observation about ferrets looking forward to things was the vet, Hanan
Caine.  He said that he thought that the reason ferrets cope so easily with
shots is in part because some animal types live in the past remembering
past shots and holding grudges, while others live in the present and made
a big deal of things while they happen, but ferrets realize that although
it will happen it will then be done and something good is bound to happen
later!
 
Personally, I think this has a lot to do with why abused ferrets
rehabilitate so wonderfully.
[Posted in FML issue 2926]