Hi all.. Just a reminder, I am already using my 2009 ferret datebook to plan ahead with appointments. Troy Lynn has more ready to go if anyone is interested. They make a great gift and all proceeds go toward Ferret Family Services. All you have to do is email [log in to unmask] . Another reminder- with Thanksgiving so close- MY ferrets are obsessed with an open oven, the hotter the better, apparently. Since they are mostly free roam, this presents a challenge. Since they are not turkeys, they do not belong in the oven, a concept they do not grasp readily. Little paws will get burned faster than you can swat them away, so I have decided it is better to have them elsewhere while I am transfering things from the oven to the stove. They also do not need to escort company in and out of the front door or help fold (unfold) the laundry. They do not belong in the middle of pumpkin pies, licking the same paws that three minutes ago were in the litterbox (aaaggghhh), they do not belong in the bags from the grocery store "helping" me put things away (marshmallows are not stored under the microwave)- the list is endless. They do belong in my lap snuggled safe and sound (in your dreams, lady) (no lap ferrets at my house). Anyway, things change during the holidays, please be sure to keep your furkids safe. Also, sadly, we had a situation here recently with another dog/ferret incident in which the owner swore her dog never would have hurt the ferrets, and we don't know what the trigger was, as the owner was at work, and the dog and ferrets were loose together, and for some reason the dog killed both of them. Please don't leave ferrets out with dogs, especially if you know the dog IS predisposed to gaming small animals already. No matter how much you trust the dog, it is still a dog, with canine instinct. I don't blame the dog, but the situation can be entirely avoided by not letting them out together. Even if you think you are "supervising" them, usually that just means you are home. It is a little more work to have separate times with each, but then no one dies or goes to emergency. Gerri [Posted in FML 6157]