Suki my 7 year old Sable jill, has a unique way of speaking to me. I took me quite a time to figure it out. She would scratch at the carpet behind my easy chair and all my ferrets know that carpet scratching is in violation of article 1 of the ferret/ human UN charter, the punishment is the most severe available with current technology i.e. vinegar shower (the finest deterrent so far developed). The ferrets have a large plastic jar with screw lid in my living room it has a screw top lid and contains a handful or two of ferret food. All of my ferrets can unscrew the lid and even my new 12 wk old kit kit learned to do it without be shown in less than 4 weeks. I did not punish Suki for the digging offence, as Senior Ferret she has diplomatic immunity. I consulted with her and she explained further by standing by the open food jar, after further questioning she poked the jar with her nose. I picked up the jar and it was empty. Suki uses this method for empty or in need of a change with the water bowl too. She uses the same method for other things too but lengthy consultations have so for have not revealed what or why. Tony, Suki and Sweetie aka Sneaky or Squeaky. In memory of Sally, Sue and Sugar. [Posted in FML 7550]