Saturday was one of the most beautiful days here in Portland, OR that we have seen in a while. My husband and I decided to make a daytrip to a park about an hour or so south of here called Silver Falls (it's near Salem). With us went the ferrets (of course) and a friend of mine who is new to the college where I teach. She is originally from Turkey and had never met ferrets until she met mine. We spent the day hiking around, and Pandora and Persephone were having a grand time. We did a certain amount of the "Yes, it's a ferret, no, it doesn't bite- eats cat food- three years old, etc." My husband and I wear anoraks when we have them out with us and the girls ride in the front pouches, kangaroo-style with their little heads poking out. Sometimes they curl up in the backpack and sleep. Well, we were on this one trail, and we see a couple in front of us focused on something on the ground and it's a sable ferret. For a second I thought Persephone had escaped, but she wears a harness when she's out. When we stopped and brought her out to meet this one, the couple brings out another one from a bag and it's a silver mitt who looks just like Pandora. My Turkish friend flipped out-- she just couldn't believe her eyes. All the ferrets had a nice sniff of each other- we chatted and then continued on our hike. Paula P.S. The Oregon Ferret Association still has a large number of rescues. Thanks to all who helped out over Christmas with supplies. It made a big difference. With so many new subscribers, I would encourage people to consider adopting a rescue when they get their next ferret. [Posted in FML issue 0757]