Last night I stayed up late to vacuum, scrub, wax, rehang drapes, put on electrical outlet plates, and started moving furniture. I woke up early to move cages into the room just painted. Everything is now in a different spot than it was before. I let the ferrets free roam all night: but they were tired and fell asleep as soon as I turned out the lights. After locking them all in their cages this morning, I felt I was not giving them the chance to explore their new layout. Even slight changes get my guys all excited. So I opened the cage doors and ran out the door to work. When I arrived home, it was dark. As I opened my door-it hit something large and solid. Scared the *&^% out of me. There is no way anything solid is there to hit. My heart was beating fast-let me tell you. I could not even open the door all the way. I got to the light switch, and discovered that a door I never open was wide open. It is not only always kept closed: it is also always securely latched. This door leads to the furnace and water heater and to a large hole leading God knows where. Thus-the latch. My home looked broken into. Garbage was strewn everywhere. I have 4 garbage containers. They were not only tipped over. The contents were COmpletely removed to smear the floors. A bag of litter on a dresser was on its side Litter was poured into the drawer of clothes. Litter from all the litter boxes was kicked out and spread all over the floors I had stayed up late to wash and wax. Urine and poop were in multiple spots on the new tile floor. I was so afraid. I closed the door with the latch, and desperately began my search for everyone, realizing that if one of my little ones fell down the hole -- there was probably no way to save my baby. I was lucky: very lucky. I was even able to find my two little deaf guys curled up together within minutes. As I was searching, Sunny and the Lovely ferret popped up and began chasing each other in and out of the garbage containers. I know that this may not be fair. But I think Sunny did most of this. I also think that he somehow unlatched my door. Someone also disabled my answering machine. But WORSE; I do not think I saved the life of a Mustela putorius furo a few months back. I believe I have saved that rare dangerous subspecies: the Ferrito Terriblus Distructofundomous. Only one other of this subspecies of ferret has ever been discovered thus far. This was in Greece in the spring of 1982. It was a male-then given the Greek name: Poopadoopa-oopa TroubleLotalopalous. It destroyed a village, and then disappeared. I think a relative of his is here now. Here-living in my home. And now that I know that everyone is safe: I am thinking of dissecting FunnySunnyRhino Mud: Ferret Horriblus tonight to be sure. It won't be easy. I am up against a wily and cunning opponent. If you never hear from me again: They will probably find my body trapped in the furnace room. Lisette [Posted in FML issue 3119]