I need everyone's advice, since you are all more experienced than I am with ferrets. I have one male ferret 2 yrs. old, Rocky. I am thinking of adopting a 5 yr. old female. Because of health problems, there are times when I cannot play with Rocky at all, and I was wondering if it would be easier if he had a playmate--or would this just be double trouble. Rocky is free roam (no cage at all anymore). So far, every time Rocky has been around other ferrets, he has been miserable. I was planning to have him meet this other ferret first to see how he reacts because the last time I brought another ferret home Rocky stopped eating (besides attacking the poor thing). I don't want to "force" another ferret on Rocky because when he is miserable, so am I. Another concern is if the older ferret gets sick and requires special care, I don't know if I'll be able to do it. Do they all get sick eventually? I hate being so indecisive but I want to do the right thing for myself, Rocky and the other ferret. I'm always torn about this issue. Every time I hear about a ferret in my area that needs a home, I go into this quandary. Also, I always wonder if Rocky would be happier and more stimulated with a ferret playmate. If I can't give him my undivided attention until he wears out, he jumps onto my dresser or climbs on the bookshelves and knocks things down, making a big mess. Today when I was in the shower I could hear the crash of things falling off the bookshelves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Shron & Rocky [Posted in FML issue 4070]