When we decided to get Ferrets there were other animals already part of
our life.  A Lab mix, 8 year old female, my husbands best friend and
constant companion for the last 7 years.  A formally abused rescue, still
timid after all this time.  Then there is our 14 month Black Lab male.
Kind, gentle, a huge lump of love.  The ferrets are not allowed loose
around these dogs for several reasons.  #1, they are dogs.  Much as we
love and trust them, they COULD decide to do a *dog thing* at any moment.
Big mouth, big teeth, tiny ferret.  # 2, the dogs were here first.  Part
of their routine is in house time with us at certain times of the day,
more on weekends.  They deserve as much undivided attention as they had
BF (before ferrets).  Same with our 4 Parrots.  Birds out, Ferrets in.
Evenings at our house is a riot.  4 parrots on perches, 2 yelling long
distance to S.  America, 1 swinging, 1 saying every word she knows (in my
husbands voice) Wall to wall dog in our small living room.  13 year old
kitty holding my husband down in the recliner.  Another reason the ferrets
do not have freedom of this room.  There in the cage are 3 little ferts.
They are still part of the group, and safe from harm.  As I go about the
evening fixing dinner etc.  I'll go get one and pack it around.  They have
learned they cannot get down no matter what, so are learning to hold still
for longer periods of time.  Then I'll trade for another and hand it to
dad to hold for awhile.  The pups can sniff and look, kitty doesn't smile
a lot, but she stays.  Everyone happy, and SAFE.  The ferrets also have a
safe play area with another cage for sleeping.  The other animals are not
allowed in there except for passing through, and then the kids are in the
cage with the door shut.  I do not feel over protective.  My dear friend
had a sweet ferret killed by a Chesapeake Retriever she had raised from a
pup along with the ferret.  They seemed to get along just fine, playing
together, etc.  One day she came in with groceries, the dog, cat, ferret
all came running to greet her.  Ferret leaped for the bag, dog got excited
and grabbed ferret.  He dropped her immediately, but it was over.
Thankfully my friend understood the dog was just being a dog and did not
take her grief out on him.  She is still not able to get another ferret.
 
Maybe someday.
In Touch, Ardith
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[Posted in FML issue 3608]