This was a very good post by Debbie Searing and I have to add my two cents. Debbie wrote: >TWO, regarding the following: >>Subject: zen wonders about Debbie's plethora of technical questions: >>You writing a book or something? If so be honest about why you are >>asking questions. >I am not the Debbie referred to here, thank god! but I am just curious >(and a little angry at the pompousness of this post by bill and diane!), >since when did we have to justify to the Killians our motives for asking >questions? I would love to know why bill and diane are so consistently >down on pcnut aka Debbie? It really lends a negative tone to reading >their other posts. Hotdish writes: AMEN! My exact thoughts. What was the point of this post other than to try and humiliate a good, caring, ferret owner? Why does anyone have to justify or clarify why they are asking a question? I simply did not understand this and sent a private email to the Killians about it. Debbie (pcnut) is a very nice person and this was just a hurtful, nasty, slam at her. Nobody should fault anyone for wanting to learn everything they can about ferrets. >THIRD: To whoever recommended that ferrets and toddlers don't mix, have >you ever had ferrets and toddlers together? A responsible parent and pet >owner should have no problem with this scenario--I know quite a few ferret >and toddler combos (myself included), and we have never had a problem. Oh >sure, a few nibbles here and there on fingers, a few toys stolen and tears >shed (mumma, Merlin stole the baby from my dollhouse!!!), but with good >supervision and paying attention, I don't think toddlers and ferrets are a >problem. NOTE: my daughter is NEVER left alone with the ferrets! I think >that is the most important thing. Hotdish writes: Exactly! Supervision is key. It does not matter if it is fish, a bird, a dog, a cat or a ferret. Kids should always have adult supervision around any and all animals (amphibians, etc...). I don't believe that ferrets and kids don't mix, just irresponsible parents and kids are a bad combination. Very good comment! >FINALLY: MJ asked about euthanasia, and I have to agree. We as humans have >the unfortunate/fortunate option with our pets that we don't even have with >ourselves: we can put them out of misery and pain through euthanasia. But >who is to judge quality of life?... Hotdish writes: I am on the same page as you with this one. Another excellent comment. Very insightful and well-written post, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am glad you found scritching your ferret is a treat. I hope my Marley never stops enjoying this. Take care and keep up the excellent posts. [Posted in FML issue 2973]