Hello , I posted earlier this week about an upper respiratory virus plaguing our household. I believe it's finally running its course. We are still running a warm mist vaporizer to soothe inflamed ferret throats. Next thing is to place a humidifier which we can set to optimal humidity to ensure their comfort throughout the winter. My husband and I just got one for our bedroom and can't believe how much better we sleep. The ferrets got one today. Thanksgiving was incredible - very warm, happy, and relaxed. All of our animals basked in the abject attention of fourteen captive human souls, completely at their beck and call. My ninety-four year old grandmother refused to eat until she had seen "the weasels." The ferrets were utterly run ragged by hoards of friendly fingers and toes waiting to play , chortling and dooking as they sniffed and searched everyone in Weasel Assessment Mode. Folks and ferrets hit it off splendidly, even the shyest most reticeint of either species. During the human banquet , pureed turkey was served, to the delight of Those Whom Are Furred. What great joy - all sixteen, at present, ferrets; four cats, and two frogs, and last, ( and loved all the more for the sixteen ferrets, four cats, and two frogs) , my husband. We're pushed to the hilt often enough , but somehow, this household works and thrives. No creature here goes without love. Somehow this includes the most intractable , obnoxious, and taxing one of all , named Kym, one not covered in fuzz or possessed of a meltingly cute disposition. Hmmm.... Happy Thanksgiving. All the best, Kym Zorn Long Wayward Weasel P.S. Can't stress this enough !!!!! The holidays often entail temporary furniture moves and unfamiliar guests. I was lucky that our ferrets have adequate , safe housing and that our guests are all accustomed to our ferrets and vice versa. We restricted visits to a seperate, completely checked "ferret room. " Remember to be extra-vigilant as many friends may be captivated be your ferrets, while the ferrets see this as an opportunity to take off and explore, possibly with tragic outcomes. Be extremely dilligent, and watch carefully. Better overprotective than grieving . [Posted in FML issue 3247]