When we decided to get Ferrets there were other animals already part of our life. A Lab mix, 8 year old female, my husbands best friend and constant companion for the last 7 years. A formally abused rescue, still timid after all this time. Then there is our 14 month Black Lab male. Kind, gentle, a huge lump of love. The ferrets are not allowed loose around these dogs for several reasons. #1, they are dogs. Much as we love and trust them, they COULD decide to do a *dog thing* at any moment. Big mouth, big teeth, tiny ferret. # 2, the dogs were here first. Part of their routine is in house time with us at certain times of the day, more on weekends. They deserve as much undivided attention as they had BF (before ferrets). Same with our 4 Parrots. Birds out, Ferrets in. Evenings at our house is a riot. 4 parrots on perches, 2 yelling long distance to S. America, 1 swinging, 1 saying every word she knows (in my husbands voice) Wall to wall dog in our small living room. 13 year old kitty holding my husband down in the recliner. Another reason the ferrets do not have freedom of this room. There in the cage are 3 little ferts. They are still part of the group, and safe from harm. As I go about the evening fixing dinner etc. I'll go get one and pack it around. They have learned they cannot get down no matter what, so are learning to hold still for longer periods of time. Then I'll trade for another and hand it to dad to hold for awhile. The pups can sniff and look, kitty doesn't smile a lot, but she stays. Everyone happy, and SAFE. The ferrets also have a safe play area with another cage for sleeping. The other animals are not allowed in there except for passing through, and then the kids are in the cage with the door shut. I do not feel over protective. My dear friend had a sweet ferret killed by a Chesapeake Retriever she had raised from a pup along with the ferret. They seemed to get along just fine, playing together, etc. One day she came in with groceries, the dog, cat, ferret all came running to greet her. Ferret leaped for the bag, dog got excited and grabbed ferret. He dropped her immediately, but it was over. Thankfully my friend understood the dog was just being a dog and did not take her grief out on him. She is still not able to get another ferret. Maybe someday. In Touch, Ardith mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 3608]