I had to laugh when i read the post about someone being fed up by rude comments on her ferrets. I have heard it all as well. I was going thru a stressful time in general and had no patience for dumb stuff so here is a list of answers I used for typical rude comments in my home. Q-I hear they turn vicious A- why yes, I enjoy having vicious biting ,mangling animals here with my kids and myself. If I am really lucky santa will bring us all rabies for christmas. Q. they stink , don;t they?? A- yes, but not as much as your kids diaper. Can you open a window please till you change his diady?. Q- but what purpose do they serve? A- I keep them as slaves. Q- But aren't they expensive to keep? A- not as expensive as your wife. Q- It's a rodent , no? A- It's a rodent yes, a cross between a subway rat and an elephant... .. uh oh!! Pooky got off his wheel again , watch your throat now. q- I hear they can be unpredicatable? A-Well..I guess you would know better than me about unpredictability. How long have you been in therapy now dear? Q- but what do you do with them? A- I have incorporated them into my dancing bear act for the circus. Besides that I love them and visa versa.They make my world a better place. peace, Christine [Posted in FML issue 4033]