Just a thought after recently reading posts about ferts diggin' in the yard.
Perhaps this has appeared on the list before but for new ferret owners and
new members to the list it won't hurt to emphasize the subject again.
 
In the 60's, 70's and probably even 80's a common practice occurred during
the construction of new homes.  This practice was the spraying of
insecticide, specifically one called "chlordane" (var.) particularly sprayed
around the foundations of new constructions to prevent termites.  Chlordane
is a colorless, odorless viscous liquid which is extremely dangerous when
contacted to ANY forms of life!  Although I'm no expert in this field, I do
know that chlordane is now either prohibited from use or EXTREMELY regulated
on how and where and who,in its use.  It takes eons to break down in the
environment.  It will cause cancer along with who knows what else.
Homeowners are constantly tilling and disrupting the ground around the
foundations of their homes to plant flowers, shrubs, etc.  PLEASE, it is
best NOT to let your precious fuzzies dig in the soil around your
foundation.  Who knows what it could do to them.  Also, if you weed-n-feed
your yard at all, keep your fuzzies out of it.  Better safe than sorry.  If
you must let them dig, search the fml archives for the plastic kiddy
pool/play sand ideas.  This has to be safer then outside digging.   You may
know what you put on your yard, but what about the people that lived there
before you?
 
I really enjoyed Meg's 4-week-old kits and Pepper story from last Friday's
list.  Very touching and made me cry.
 
For the fuzzies,
Suzanne, Mom to Cocoa, Fuzzy, Peanut, Cookie and Elmo
[Posted in FML issue 2299]