Happy Ferret thoughts.... I came home yesterday from work. You know how you are tired and fed up with people? Well, usually my ferrets are asleep in the basement and it takes them ages to realise I am actually at home. Yesterday, I got home and found Jerry asleep in the kitchen - all curled up in a blanket by the sun at the back door. As soon as I walked in the kitchen, he woke up to see me. That was so nice and really cheered me up. Never mind the fact that 20 minutes later he had climbed up onto the side table from the sofa (picture this....climb up a foot stool, jump ontot he arm chair, take a flying leap onto the sofa and ending on the table) where we proceeded to knock the tim of treats off and ply the lid off....chow time until I thought things were too quiet!! AT least he started out on the right track. Who ever said ferrets don't climb or jump needs their heads examined. Speaking of climbing...Cat, my oldest ferret, used to scale walls. Last year we had 1/2 the basement finished and the ferrets were only alowed in the finished half, but Cat decided the other side looked too tempting and come hell or igh water he needed to explore. I came down to see him, since he hadn't come up to see me, and niticed a pile of rubble moving on the unfinished side. Considering we has a large piece of wood blocking the door way, i decided the only way he got there was by scaling the brick wall. he had climbed over and couldn't get back!! We kept our eye on him for a few days and actually caught him climbing up 5 or so feet of brick wall. Whatever was on the other side must have been calling his name... or it was his way of telling us to get our buts in gear and finish his basement. Needless to say, the ferrets have the full basement to play in now!! Question, finally I am sure you are saying. Our 2 new recruits (male) have a tendancy to be rather stinky. That skunk like smell. I am guessing they are marking territory but it doesn't happen all the time and there doesn't seem to be a reason. My other male has never done this so maybe I was just lucky before? Anyway, if anyone knows why they would be doing this or what I can do.....thanks. Also any thoughts on how to teach a male how to take food gently from my hands? Ailigh Leo - the bite-y one...fingers, toes you know anything Jerry - the hyper and jumpy one Cat - I'll just play for a minute, have a treat then nap, Ok? On your lap please Mouse - I don't care what they say, Females can be alpha male!! [Posted in FML issue 3042]