To Otter - re: Human Illness/Ferrets Ferrets are VERY susceptible to the human influenza virus. According to my vet - this and distemper are their biggest threats. (There are a couple of very good video tapes on ferrets - mostly about the wild versions - but they give excellent information on their diseases/habits, etc.) Watch them closely! To anonymous - re: Ollie's hair loss.... I whole-heartedly agree with Dr. Williams - the surgery, and a chance for a long and quality filled life WOULD be the greatest Christmas gift of all. To Judy - re: Teebone Lose the vet. Nothing angers me more than medical doctors who throw generic *cures* at patients with illnesses they are "bored" with - and vets that use hand-waving techniques on our loved ones because "they don't particularly care for that type of animal". grrr..... To Mike - re: chin rubbing Duncan and Ferris do this all the time - especially after they've eaten or been bathed. Cute, huh? To Charlie - re: ferrets running loose & hole in the wall I don't let my ferrets run loose anytime I'm not in the house. I cage them in a cat "queen pen" - so there's plenty of room for a couple of levels of shelves and a hammock. I have two fears relating to leaving them "on their own". a) I never know if they're going to find an exit I didn't know existed and b) in case of fire - it would be much safer for them and the fireman trying to rescue them if he/she could just run in and nab one cage and get back out. I figure their chances are much greater if they're already penned up. I'd be interested in some input on the fire scenario. I went back and forth on it for a *very* long time. Still do. It's my worst nightmare. What I used to block some cabinet/baseboard holes was aluminum foil. It molds easily, fills holes nicely, and they absolutely *hate* to chew on it. :-) Enjoy! Ferris & Duncan - the fabulous furry duo Kelly - the geriatric calico Punkin - the spaz'd and confused min-pin Cheryl - the human(?) curator of this event [Posted in FML issue 0634]