One of our guys is a "Real Canadian Ferret". He's just hit 3 years ow and has had no major health problems ... yet. We'll have to wait and see on that. One thing about Phreddie is he is long and very slender - what we think people are talking about when they say a whippet body type as opposed the the heavier type. Although he looks to be a reasonable size, he weighs very little (which concerned us quite a bit when he was young). It's almost as if he has hollow bones like a bird. He's a DEW. He once had a fully silver tail and a beautiful silver stripe from his shoulders on down to his bum. First coat change, there went the stripe and his tail is only 2/3 silver now. Caveat emptor! He had a fabulous temperament until we brought in three new ferts (the two that are older than Phred are dealing with multiple health problems and we thought it best to try to introduce him to new companions before the originals went). I won't say it was a mistake but it sure has taken some work and we are grateful the explosions only occur every couple of days now. With us two legged critters, he remains the same sweet little beggar - begs to go out for his evening walk (even learned how to open the hall closet door in the last month or so - to give us a hint, I imagine - "Hey, folks, get your shoes on and let's go!!"). Hope some of this helps! Bonnie & Nigel Poppy, Ziggy & Phreddie and Roxie, Rosie, and George [Posted in FML issue 3484]