We took to heart, a message awhile back that spoke of getting dirt for the ferrets to dig in..... A week ago, I saw a 19.5 inch diameter plastic pot with handles, about 20 inches deep, and I thought "Perfect for dirt digging" so it was purchased and filled with fresh dirt, and packed tight with my considerable weight walking upon it.....and left outside to dry. Fast foreward now to a week later....(yesterday/Saturday..) I am on call for the day, so early in the am, I get this 'pot-o'-dirt' lugged inside. Not a small task! I don't know the weight of dirt, but I do not want any sort of job that involves moving pots of dirt on a routine basis!! I place this pot of dirt in the ferrets wading pool (to contain the dirt spillage (theoretically!)) and place a little step to facilitate entry to the dirt.......and...... 'Let Loose The Herd!" They had been watching with great anticipation from the cages, and tho curious, approached tentatively....climbed up into the pot....and after some hesitation, began digging! I haven't seen them so excited since.... well the last time we did something crazy! Maybe the snow in the swimming pool? Well, anyway I'm sure you all know how excited they can be! There were more bushy tailed, muddy nosed, dirty pawed dooking little fur rats running about that room, than we've ever seen before! Now I got called off to work, and didn't get home till 3:15am this morning, and I peeked in the room, and there in the dim light was one ferret just digging away....our deaf little girl....I turned the light up (to attract her attention) and her front paws and face popped up....just as black as can be! (she's a champagne) and those beady little eyes were just shining!!! The room was something to see! Dirt everywhere!! That swimming pool didn't contain anywhere near like I thought it would! Thankful for a tiled floor! This morning, out came the broom....shop-vac...mop, and it is now back to human standards of acceptability, which I'm sure is NOT the same as a ferrets idea of fun! Well, we shall be doing this again! Got to get that dirt harder! What I thought was hard, they treated as soft butter! Give it a try.....it's a riot! Richard, Debra, and the 16 "Mud-Rats" of Yakima Riki, Tiki, Tavi, Chuckles, Pansy, Clover, Rose, Jester, Joker, Lily, Jasper, Jasmine, Dean, Martin, Casper, and Rex [Posted in FML issue 3017]