>From: Faith Pollifrone <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: ferret bonding? >Do ferret bond with people? I noticed something yesterday that makes me >wonder. Hi Faith, I am relatively new to ferrets, its three weeks shy of a year since Bubbles (now 2 yr old altered polecat ) took over my life (time to celerate!!). he came from a welfare so it took time for him to learn to trust me, but slowly a bond grew and he would often come round to me to get me to play, or just to check out whatever I was doing (making sure I was doing it to his liking?). Anyhow, last November, I happened across a tiny 1 yr old albino girl 8 months old living in really disgusting conditions. I decided to bring her home, knowing that I COULDNT walk away and leave her living like that if it didnt work out I would have to pass her on to someone else, and I set that up just in case. After bathing her (she was alive with fleas) I took her in to meet Bubbles. He threw himself at her, and for the first time, I heard him dook, he had always been silent with me. They played forever that day, Bubbles showing her all the mischief he had found, and giving her basic tuition in opening cupboard doors (he is a skilled cracksman). For a few days, all I had from him was that "twinkly eyed look" kinda "hey dad its fun now I have a ferret friend too." I wondered if I had lost the closeness that we had, no he isnt a "snuggle ferret", but there was definately something there between us before Skweek arrived. I found that now he tries to split his time between playing with Skweek, and coming to harrass me, you see, they have a strategy, one distracts, the other attacks, and after they have attacked thier goal successfully, and washed my ears, I am treated to formation wardance displays as they celebrate beating me again. I now have the best of both worlds, Bubbles as ever is busy playing and exploring, with occasional visits to see what I am at, and for a quick rough and tumble with me before he bouces off to get into more mischief, Skweek has the "snuggle bug" and comes to me for the stuff that isnt really in Bubbles nature. I guess my experience is that having abother ferrets around allowed Bubbles to develop another side of his personality (he is kinda big brother to Skweek), and allowed him to have a fuller life as a ferret. I dont feel I lost any of the Closeness, I understand that he will make some quality time for me out of his busy ferret day, and Bubbles confirmed he is really attached to Skweek when she had spay surgery recently, he went crazy trying to get to her during the couple of days I kept them in adjoining housing while her scar started to heal I would say "go for it" from experience I can say, 2 wacky weezil wardances are even better than one :o) Itworked out well for me, just be sure that your ferret "likes" the new addition, like any sentient creature, "personal dislike" can get in the way of a harmonious household. I dont know about the walking thing yet... Now Skweek is uptodate on surgery and shots we are just waiting for some reasonable weather... should be fun! By the way, last week math struck again as I finally persuaded the people who had Skweek to part with the last 2 they had, 2 identical twin sisters, so now I am up to 4. Officially they are for my S.O. But..... you know how it is... any excuse :o) Bubbles is really "full of himself" now ..... He IS da bossman! lol Take care.. Cris Page, Bubbles, Skweek, Rhubarb & Custard. (da west coast weezilz - aka the Furkid 4) [Posted in FML issue 3402]