Well I think I have finally won out over the battle of the dryer. I nailed together some two-by-fours and a large sheet of wood and positioned it in front of the dryer and put 50 lbs. of weights in front of the wood. As of today, Saturday the little sweethearts are unable to get behind or into the dryer. I am not joshing about how it has been a battle for me to try and figure out ways to deter my ferrets from getting behind, in or on top of the washer and dryer. They have made a game out of outsmarting me and they usual succeed. It is surprising how strong these little guys are! Teebone has also ate his last swatch of fabric. I lined his bed with some thick corduroy jeans and the next day found a perfect round hole chewed through the seat area of the jeans. Enough! I watched him carefully and was relieved when he "relieved" himself, the next several days to be sure there was no bowel blockage. As of now they are sleeping on a bed of crumbled newspaper. So far Teebone has not chewed on this, but I do not feel totally comfortable with newspaper because of the ink. I read an article that warned that newspaper could pose a health risk for kittens because they got ink on their paw pads and ingested it while licking their paws. I questioned a vet on this issue and he stated that he was unaware of any health problems connected with ink and he used newspaper in his cages! Anyone else heard of any conclusive tests concerning ink and health risk? I use newspaper also for my ferrets' potty places. I know, I know, why not a litter box? My ferrets have a litter box (three to be exact), but they refuse to use them. I have learned to just use newspaper in their favorite spots and it works great. A special thanks to J.Rosloot for the suggestion of using bitter apple on the fabric Teebone likes to chew. I will try that! I also wonder if the fact that Teebone is obsessive with chewing on everything that he might lack something in his diet or could conceivably have a illness that is not evident. He eats feline growth Science Diet and acts happy and healthy. Any other ferret owners have problems with their "rug rats" chewing up everything? Well I better sign off the tube and go back to work. A worry wart ferret lover Judy Gallipeau [Posted in FML issue 0624]