- how many of you, had no close pets as children, but later in life became animal and ferret people? - how many of you, had a couple of standard pets such as dogs or cats as children? - how many of you had close contact with more unusual species of animals as children? I guess I fit question #2. I believe I am an animal lover because it is in my blood. My grandfather adored animals, and even had "pet" squirrels that he would feed every day. When he died a couple of years ago, we even found some photos of squirrels. :) This love was passed on to my dad, who currently rents a place that does not allow pets, but he gets by by feeding "his" raccoons every night. (And he won't listen to me when I try to educate him about health risks associated with coons.) Last time my dad came to visit me, he giggled like a kid while playing with the ferrets. My mom loves animals too, but she is now married to a man who couldn't care less if he didn't have a pet in his life. They currently have a cat. My mom asks about our pets, and loves to snuggle our dogs when she visits. She grew up with dogs, and the family used to own a farm. As a kid I always wanted a cat. I was fascinated with them, but terribly allergic. We had goldfish a few times, but they always died before long. When I was 9 we got a cocker spaniel puppy. When I was in high school our first dog died, and we got another puppy. A year later my parents adopted said puppy's mother, but I moved out soon afterward. When I was in college, and met my now-husband, he had a gecko. His parents had dachshunds, and their dogs had a couple of litters during the time hubby and I were dating. So I guess you could say he came from an animal-loving home as well. Years later hubby and I started acquiring pets of our own. Due to apartment living, we had various lizards, a frog, and hedgehogs. I always wanted something more interactive and furry, so hubby suggested I get a ferret. Luckily for me, he had researched them. We got our first two ferrets (had to have two, so they don't get lonely, lol) on impulse. Shortly after that I started my current job at an animal hospital, which allowed me to learn more about ferret care. When we bought our own home 5 yrs. ago, I was excited to be able to get a dog, and have a full room for the ferrets. I do rescue now, so the ferrets need their own room, lol. We now have 3 dogs. I guess I don't do anything small and simple. ;) ~Leah~ [Posted in FML issue 5271]