o: John Rosloot I have both F.Shimbo books you mention (A Tao Full of Detours and The FURO Book of Ferrets). They are good but somewhat technical in parts. If you are looking for an interesting, well written, informative yet easily understood book on ferrets? "A Practical Guide to Ferret Care" by Deborah Jeans is the perfect book. Legion Of Superferrets National has this book for sale (as do several other shelters and clubs). We are a national organization and have no problem with Canadian connections. (We reach into Alaska) You can email me personally at [log in to unmask] To: Rochelle I have three dogs and a multitude of ferrets. Operating a shelter makes for some trying times with our three dogs and ferrets that either dislike other animals or never encountered dogs before. My German Shephard thinks all ferrets are her puppies and will tolerate all kinds of ferret abuse. I have lost count on how many times a ferret has attached itself to some part of her anatomy, including her nose. This is what I have done if the ferret bit a dog nose more than once... Stay with the two animals (sit right down with them) and hold the ferret in your hands. Allow the dog to sniff the ferret while making certain the ferret cannot contact the dog with its mouth. Give the ferret a treat if there is no bite. Do this each time they are both out for a short time. If the ferret manages to nip the dog's nose? I spray my hand with Bitter Apple before beginning and I quickly slip my finger into the mouth of the ferret while giving a sharp NO BITE. The taste of that stuff is horrible and they will associate the ugly taste with the bad act. I have known of a person who put the Bitter Apple (I think it was the paste) on the dog's nose so when the ferret nipped it was a direct taste sensation. To: Mark Jones At four years of age you will have to wait (probably) for a complete coat change for the fur to grow back on the shaved tail. I have a hob who had an infected hair folicle removed from his back. This was a couple of months ago. His skin is fuzzy but his hair will not all come back until he throws his winter coat for his summer one. If she changes her coat and it still isn't growing in you may have another problem that the vet will have to take care of. To: Shelly Nice Sounds much like an adrenal problem. The success rate is high for this one and the sooner you have a vet check into the possibility of an adrenal tumor the better. For the person who has an early spayed female exhibiting signs of estrus.... I had a rescue come into my shelter last fall. She was the epitomy of a jill left much too long in heat. My vets all thought she was intact (breedable) until after being with my vasectomized hob and even my fertile guys, continued to be "in heat", we opted for exploratory surgery. They could not find any foreign tissue and only the left adrenal was slightly irregular. By the way, she had a beautiful coat! NO hair loss at all. The adrenal was removed and a biopsy done. "Within normal parameters" the report read. And STILL she remained in heat. After much searching and questioning of may other veterinarians (including our own Dr Williams) it was decided to reduce the length of her uterine stump (it was longer than usual). Eureka! After 5 months with us in this condition she is out of "heat". Perhaps this is an answer to your problem as well. Little Red is currently the happy companion of one of my vets (the one who did the surgery). Rose & the "Thundering herd" [Posted in FML issue 0802]