I too have seen the proof of the emotional bonds these little bundles of fluff share. A few years back, after we had decided Lucifer needed a friend, ( I felt bad about us being at work all day and her being alone in her hammocks), we brough home Kyba. They bonded instantly. Where ever Lucifer was, Kyba was. They shared hidey holes, brought treats to each other and acted as blankets to each other. I was amazed watching them. Fast foward about 7 months later. Kyba has somehow gotten out of the fuzzy playroom and into our bathroom where he found a stray Sudafed tablet that we must have accidently dropped. He overdosed. A 2am rush to the ER vet, he was in full blown seizures. We nearly lost him. The vets kept him for 2 days. At home, Lucifer went bezerk and then became very very upset and depressed that her bestest friend was not there. She tore the cage apart, refused to sleep in "their " hammock, ( I had to place another hammock in the cage to get her to sleep). For hours on end, she'd just lay there looking at me and back at the hammock like as if to say " hey mom, where is he, I've looked and looked". It broke my heart watching my baby, who hours before was bouncing and war dancing to be lying there like a bump When Kyba finally returned home, we had to place him in a "recovery" cage for a few days. We place both cages side by side so Lucifer knew he was there and they could touch noses through the bars. Lucifer immediately perked up. I had to move her hammock as close to the edge of the cage as possible and same with Kyba. While they were sleeping, through the bars of the cage, they kept their little paws touching. After that incident, we decided to reduce the stress to go with Ferret Math, and brought home Shea. Again, an instant bond. Shea was just about 4-5 months old and had been beaten severely and was terrified. Lucifer sensed his fear and went over to him and just curled her little body around him and cuddled up to him. Now, it like watching the Three Amigo's. For those who think that is just ferret to ferret bonding, it goes soo far beyond that. My 3 were best buddies with our cat Loki. Loki had become suddenly very ill and passed away. One by one, each ferret came to his body, kissed his face, laid down on him as if to say " see ya later my friend" and went on their way. It took a good week before I saw a war dance or heard a dook. I have always let any of my fur babies say goodbye to a friend and allowed them to greive in their own way. I mean think about it, if ferrets don't have emotions, what is the Dance of Joy? What is all the sighing? What is tail wagging?? These are all signs of EMOTIONS. Bristle tail, speed bumps, kisses, the hee hee's, the list goes on and on. If these guys can show happiness, depression, sadness, fear, anger and vuneralbilty who are we to say what else they can or cannot feel. Unless you speak ferret ( and I haven't met a person who does yet), we will never know what goes on in those little heads of theirs. Till the day we do, we will remain their slaves happily cleaning litter boxes and giving these guys all the love they so rightfully deserve to receive it back in kisses and war dances Sandy Z and the Troublesome Threesome Lucifer( the ring leader) Kyba (the executioner) Shea ( the enforcer) [Posted in FML 5513]