>One thing I'm worried about is that I may lose the really close bond >that I have with Ollie, if I got him a friend. I mean, would he then >prefer to spend more time with his friend then me? Would he be less >affectionate? My limited experience has been this. When I have just one ferret who was close to me intimately and then I go them a friend, if I had time for them both, it did not affect the bond whatsoever. Now, I have experienced a little slipping of a bond with a ferret when I added one, but it's been my own doing when that's happened. I had started to pay too much attention to the new one, or didn't have quite enough time to spend with both. But I was always able to reestablish the bond later on. In fact, most of the time when I got my ferret a pal, what I ended up with was a ferret completely spoiled by me, but who also had a ferret pal (his own kind) to compliment that relationship. I'm not saying that I believe they have to have a friend to be happy. They can bond with us and other species and be quite happy alone. I"m just saying, I do see that another ferret does seem to add a certain "spark" to their life much of the time. So I wouldn't fear loosing that intimacy, though I really can understand that worry. I've been there. If you are able, and if your ferret is in a cage that long each week and not out exploring or with other pets, you might want to consider another one. I think there are advantages either way, and few disadvantages either way. So that will have to be a decision that you are happy with. :) And either should be a happy decision. I think neither is the wrong decision. May I say that if you or someone was home with your ferret most of the day through the week and able to give them a lot of attention, if your ferret was also pals with other pets (cats, dogs, etc), if your ferret was a senior ferret, if your ferret seems perfectly happy, if your ferret had a history of solitude or not getting along with other ferrets anyway, etc, I'd really lean to waving my hand and saying leave the situation alone. Like wise if everything was opposite, if you financially and emotionally can handle another one, if the ferret was getting hardly any attention at all, if, if, if...if, then I'd lean to saying try getting a cage mate. But your situation surely seems to be one that is split in half, eh? :) That's good though. Make sure, that if you ever do get a pal for your ferret, that you see if you can't take them with you to the shelter or something to try and "match them up". If you get a kit from somewhere, take it slow (okay well take it slow no matter who you are introducing). And consider your ferrets age. I mean a five year old ferret who is used to being alone, may or may NOT appreciate an exhuasting kit around. :) I know, I know. I didn't help at all. But it's good to know that you can take eithe path and have benefit, no? Sigh. I hope others on the list give opinions. Because I surely am no expert here. Wolfy Wolfy's site has MOVED to: http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com/ [Posted in FML issue 4085]