Running around under basins of any type is what most of us used to call
"Daleks" in the early years. That even predated the FML! It is so long
ago that I can't even remember which of us came up with it first. It
could have been Buckeroo Biana, or Mark Burgess, or Shu Ju Wang, or
Chris or Pat Lewis, Urban Fredricksen (sp?), or Steve or me, or one of
the others whose names escape me right now. I simply don't remember.
The term "tank" came later (I recall it being more generally applicable
for those who were not familiar with Dr. Who, especially the Hartnell
ones where the feet could at times be seen below the dalek shells. In
fact, I think that Pam Greene who seems to have been the first to ever
use "Dook" was also either the first to use "tank" or the first to
reintroduce that term after an earlier bout of use (which vaguely seems
more accurate) but I could be wrong. Turtle came much later as a term.
I think Bob Church possibly began that one, and if I recall right he
used it for when a hope was cut in the "shell" so that the ferret could
stick out the head if desired. We tried that variation and found ours
like the blind run, but individuals vary in what they like so we
probably should try it again. (Telemna with her pianos -- yes, two now
with thanks to Lisa! -- is proof of that... LOL!) BTW, we have also
found that sockie head (running around blind after jamming a sock on
one's head) is another favorite blind motion game. Human and chimp
children also often love variations on that game.

[Moderator's note: "Daleks" first mentioned on the FML in 1991, in a
post by you, Sukie.  BIG]

We still call them daleks here.

There was one day that Steve was here doing a carefully designed
demonstration of a security issue for some executives and other
researchers, but when they would arrive wasn't clear enough beforehand
so I hadn't put Meeteetse back in the ferret room before they got here,
and could not find her after I was done playing hostess. In the middle
of the demonstration an overturned woven wastebasket suddenly emerged
from of its own volition and began racing around the legs of the
gathered people. To their credit once they finished being startled it
was something they found funny, and the security issue did get partly
addressed in actions later. So, Daleks don't always exterminate. LOL!

It is safe and wonderful game for them. There has never been a problem
in 26 years. At times we have had one get on top of the dalek but the
one underneath has always been able to shove a nose out and even
usually to topple the offender, though usually the one on top tires of
that rapidly so there has been no need. Now, if the home has furniture
that is the right height to trap the dalek then consider putting in
small slits or holes on multiple sides -- small enough that the ferret
can still run blind, but enough of them that the ferret can breathe
through them. We used to do that for Spot's paper cups. He loved to
put those on his head and run around.

Personally, I am curious to hear from the people who did the tosses
(both with sheet and without, and who did the rapid and repeated stair
running. We do "roll around in the sheet" with two people holding it,
and the ferrets LOVE it but we had been advised long ago that ferrets'
long backs might make them susceptible to back injuries similar to
daschunds. Now, dashunds are recent whereas the long backs of ferrets
are not, so perhaps they are better buttressed, but I'd sure like to
learn more before deciding and prefer to be careful in between.
Information to the FML, please?

Does anyone have any ferrets who find it funny that if they put a
plastic bag over their hands then reach into water they don't get
wet? We have one who finds that hilarious. Then after a while of that
she begins splashing in the large water bowl.

Has anyone has a ferret who likes to turd into little bottlecaps? We
had one many years ago, Fritter, who found it a fun challenge to set
the plastic caps (that were used to make a type of non-alcoholic wine
look like a cork existed under the foil) on their rolly ends and then
carefully go into them. Very easy clean-up except for the clean-up dot
she left next to each one. She did that for years. In fact, because of
her use and others liking to knock those around there were times I
bought the products specifically to have the caps! Fritter apparently
was proud of her talent (Come see! Come see!) and that she could do
that was truly hilarious (Yes, she did the ferret breathy and soft
"Heh, heh, heh" which seems to be laughter.)

One thing I know is almost every time someone has mentioned what seems
to be a new ferret game someone who has been around longer has already
had or known at least one ferret who did it.

In fact, that is not just true for games. When the idea of dark
sleeping places having health benefits came up some British members
(I think that Chris in the UK was among them, but not sure if I am
recalling right.) came forward and said that they had heard from some
very old ferret people to always supply dark places the ferrets could
sleep in and always get to because otherwise the ferrets developed
health problems.

Often, having ferrets is a matter of RE-discovery, though it does make
sense to think each time about the possible bad as well as the possible
good, to seek our vets' advice before trying some husbandry things, and
to weigh the factors when deciding what each of us will personally do.
Still, the ones we decide to try make us part of a heritage, don't
they? :-) Meanwhile, the ones we each decide not to do after careful
investigation and inquiry on every side simply say that with our own
families all that any of us can do is to make up our own minds and
hope that others are kind enough to respect that. Actually, that is
also a very good thing when it happens. :-)

What have you discovered and then found it was a rediscovery, allowing
you to carry on a heritage?

What unusual games have you encountered?

What hazards have you encountered in relation to a game and what is the
solution?

What games have you found to be safe and if there may be questions then
why?

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5678]