I've trained all three of my ferrets (my two and a rescue fert) to come to the sound of a squeaky toy. Mostly it is for ease of rounding them all up at bedtime. Amazing what they will do for treats. Anyway in the weekend I opened the back door to go outside and the the rescue ferret (who possesses incredible agility and speed) ran out. I had just been playing with her, chasing her round the lounge and I think she thought this was still part of the game. Anyway she ran down the stairs and into the bushes outside. I clambered into the bushes after her, and could see her, but she still thought we were playing so was running away from me having a great time (I wasn't as I was dead scared that I wouldn't be able to catch her). Anyway I completely lost her, so I went to the next door neighbours house who was in the backyard doing some gardening. I asked her if she'd seen a wayward ferret and she just kinda looked at me puzzled. I took the squeaky toy with me and was furiously squeaking it to no avail, but then she poked her head through the fence, heard the toy and came right up to me. I gave her lots of love, affection and linatone and am very very thankful that I have trained them to come to the squeaky toy. [Posted in FML issue 3087]