My first glimpse of ferrets was many, many years ago (won't say how many) at a little ramshackle bait & general supply store in northern Wisconsin, the kind of dump that sported a sign saying "John Dillinger shopped here." I was about 8 and already in love with all kinds of animals, but my mother was an obsessively neat housewife who wouldn't allow pets. Anyway, I heard little squeakings coming from the back of the store, and there they were...a sweet mama ferret and tiny baby ferrets with their little baby-manes. The storekeeper, much to my mother's horror, offered me to give me one when it got a bit older and I howled for the rest of the day because I couldn't accept. Many years later I babysat for my son's ferret and knew I'd found a soulmate, so now I have 5 of my own and couldn't be happier with them. Signe [Posted in FML issue 2921]