Jennifer, ferrets have always been "pick up tools" for my boys. Lol. One of the biggest things that every happened to my autistic boy happened when he tried little league baseball. He bailed out at first. He was too scared to approach the dug out that was full of "normal" boys. I told him to pick Rocky up into his arms (he was on the ground on a leash at the time), and just to gradually make his way over there. I told him that he didn't have to walk all they way up there, nor say a word. I knew what would happen. Twelve stinkin', sweaty, dirty, little boys with lit up eyes started to yell out, "HEY, what's that?! Cool! My name is Jimmy", "My name is bobby", "My name is," etc. lol. The rest is history (socially). My oldest son, has just been trying to break the ice with girls the past couple of years. I started putting his Laddie into his arms and shoving him towards girls. "Gasp! Ohhhhhh how cuuuuuuute, what's his name?!" LOL. When he's really interested in a funny girl, he blurts out, "Wanna pet my weasel?" The ferrets do weed out the riff raff. I'm not kidding. Sean drops buds like hot potatoes if they say negative things about ferrets and animals as a whole, and if they don't warm up to them with a bit of education. Chet (my older teen), is having a heck of a time with girls for many reasons. It doesn't help when a girl blurts out, "They smell ....". All done with that girl. I know it's sounds quirky and picky. But it really does say a ton about character when someone goes beyond just feeling awkward around a new animal or being ignorant, and is negative or mean in attitude. Hey. Wanna tickle my fuzzie? Wolfy http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com [Posted in FML issue 4910]