Hi - regarding the person who had an inquiry on Chow's and ferts......we have a chow/wolf/golden retriever mix (yes,what a combo eh?). The poor boy lives in a house with 4 kids, 4 cats and 4 fuzzbutts. ALL of our animals either ride the dog, chew on the dogs ears, toes or nose - what ever is readily available to their furry little mouths. This poor guy is picked on mercilessly by the ferts and the cats sit back and silently "egg: them on. He has endured some interesting things - and not ONCE in his life has he ever even growled at any of the other animals - especially the ferts - who incidentally, are his greatest tormenters. I think he realizes that they are playing with him and for him, that is an "acceptance" - and a good thing he thinks!!! His ears have been chewed - his eyes scrathed by fuzzies - etc. Not ONCE has he raised a hairy paw to the kids. When and If they get too rough with him, he will gently pick them up in his mouth, and bring them to me. Usually only works with the ferrets.....he found out in short order that it wasn't a good idea to do this with the cats......lol. I think that ALOT depends on how the animal was raised. If your friend has had him since he was a puppy - chances are he will do whatever pleases him/her. We are extremely lucky with our dog - especially with the mix that he is. Having the wolf in him, we wondered for a while how he would be. The only thing that we see different - is that he is very "territorial" - to any OUTSIDERS, i.e., people ones. Animals are fine. He is also very protective - not only of our family, but of his fuzzies too. A stray dog got into our yard one time when the kids were out in their playpen. Suffice it to say - the poor dog left - very quickly - thanking the stars that he still had all of his furry appendages attached......but as to the original question - he is great w/the kids. You can pretty much judge how the animal will be by slowly introducing him to fuzzies, with an adult there. Kim and Her Army of Idiots. [Posted in FML issue 4595]