Well, just when I think I know the limit of ferret strangeness, Cassie surprises me again. Yesterday (being Halloween) I had a jack-o-lantern set out with a candle burning in it. I looked away for a second, and when I turned back Cassie was on the table, leaning her head down inside the jack-o-lantern an inch or two from the flame. She seemed totally captivated, and not in the least bit of discomfort, but I rushed over and pulled her out. I held my hand over the pumpkin, and it was hot (and she had stuck her head way *inside*, so it must have been even hotter for her). I took a look at her to see if she was alright; she seemed to be in fine spirits, but I saw several of her whiskers were singed. There was even one lying in the pumpkin that had been singed right off! Oh well, I've often burned the hair on my hands when using the heat gun at work, without it hurting my skin. I'm sure Cassie would have backed off if it got too hot. Wouldn't she? Then again, both Buddy and Cassidy have often tried to lean up on the oven door when I pull out some freshly cooked item. Don't they know hot=pain? I'll never understand ferrets. :) John, Buddy, and Cassidy [Posted in FML issue 0626]