Ah yes, Frettchenvergnuegen. Maybe you remember the VW commercial: Fahrvergnuegen? The driver's satisfaction, as I interpret it. Well by taking off the Fahr(en) and substituting the word for ferret, which is Frettchen, we've got the German for Ferret satisfaction. Frettchenvergnuegen is double ended - in this sense: 1.) That which is joyous for the ferret, and 2.) That which is satisfying for the ferreter. In 1.) above joy and satisfaction may be taken as a well-nourished and healthy ferret. In 2.) satisfaction is the relief from dread and concern over the health of the ferret and the expenses associated with veterinarian care as a partial consequence of lousy commercial ferret food. In todays FML of 2/3/1 - 2/4/1 there is some relevant concern and suggestions as to what makes good food for a Frett (diminutive form for Frettchen) and the "guesstamations" as to what causes the various forms of cancer and the awsomely shortened longevity of the ferret, particularly the "pet store" version, whether American of European. It is about time we try to learn more about the M.p. furo by looking at its cousin, Mustela nigripes, the North American lack-footed ferret, and what this gorgeous and splendid ferret eats and its life style as a wilderness relative of your little fuzzy. Your assignment: Find out and post to the FML what M. nigripes eats as a total diet in the wild. DO IT! Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation, Education & Training Society, NorthWest, a 501(C)(3)charitable foundation under the direction of Edward Lipinski. [Posted in FML issue 3319]