I can now say, most assertively that, yes, ferrets have compassion. I have heard astonishing stories for the better part of my life about this topic from ferret owners, breeders, shelter operators and health care workers alike. The most impressive observations and anecdotes come from shelter operators and volunteers. I value their opinions the most due to their experience and expertise. Am I putting human feelings onto an animal? Nope. I am scientifically oriented, so I am skeptical of and question every rain drop I see in my world. In addition I grew up on a farm, my family hung around a more eccentric crowd that owned exotics, and my brother is a vet. So, I have a good bit of experience with various species and much to compare with ferrets. Other than dogs, there is no other animal that shows compassion more that ferrets in my mind. It's far more subtle than a dog, but it is there. Always there. It's funny that this was brought up on the FML. I just completed an article for my column, Buzz About Ferrets for Ferrets Magazine. The question/topic was "What is the sweetest thing your ferret has ever done". I expected a wide array of answers because ferrets are so darn cute and funny. But instead I got quite a surprise. Twenty eight pages of stories from ferret lovers came into my mail box, almost all of which centered on some sort of compassion. Never has the notion that these animals show compassion ever been more certain in my mind. :) It will be published soon on www.ferretsmagazine.com You'll see for yourself. Wolfy [Posted in FML 6652]