I finally talked my parents into letting me bring the fur kids with me for a visit to Michigan. We kept them in the finished basement and let them run for an hour a.m. and p.m. at least, every day. Dad wasn't overly fond of them, but found it funny that I didn't know they could climb stairs. (big suprise to me!). Mom, on the other hand, was very interested in meeting the kids. She came downstairs in shorts and bare feet. Brownie, my little ambassador of good will, ran over to play. I was busy cleaning the cage and not looking at what they were doing. Mom says "OO", "OO", and starts scooting backwards quickly while saying something about biting. Without turning to look I said, "no mom, don't worry, he doesn't bite, he just wants to play". She continiued to scoot backwards, trying to get away from my wild attack ferrets. LOL. After several more comments about biting I turned to look. Brownie had her around the calf and was grabbing her with his arms and mouth! He does this to me all the time and it's an invitation to play. But poor mom thought he was trying to take her leg off! I "rescued" her from the ferocius beast while laughing my head off. (he didn't even leave a mark, he was mouthing her, not biting). Mom and the ferrets eventually became good freinds. So much so that whenever she came down stairs all five would go running to her for cuddles and treats. (she found out that they would eat fruit loops if she broke them up very small for them). I was constantly having to remind her that ferrets, like real human kids, don't need all that sugar! So the trip was a success and Dad even let me leave a cage up there so I wouldn't have to haul it back and forth when ever I drive up. (that's dad launguage for the ferrets can come back). The ferrets were a huge success and my sister and sister-in-law both want some. So they are both getting "ferrets for dummies" from me and I gave them the address of the FML and the number to a local shelter. The nieces and nephews came for a mini family reunion too, and they loved my babies. Next time I'll tell you all about ferrets, harnesses, and pet carriers with open tops. (aka how to get five ferrets into a hotel without loosing your mind). Shelley and the five little monsters [Posted in FML issue 4561]