Dear friends - A question and a story for y'all from Slinky, my 9-month old (can it really be that long) sable male. In the past few weeks Slinky will appear to be hiccuping. This usually happens after he has been running around for a long time, and is getting pretty tired. He goes into the flat ferret-rest position, and appears to spasms in the diaphragm area. They don't bother him, and he will sometimes get up and run around with them. It usually disappears within 30 seconds - at most, 2 minutes. Any ideas, or has anyone else seen anything like this? Also - just in case anyone tells you ferrets aren't smart. ne of Slinky's new favorite toys is an empty Diet Coke can he stole, which he carrys around by the pull tab (anyone looking for a new cheap toy...). The first day he had it, he worked super hard to get it into his favorite hiding spot, which is behind a book shelf around a tight corner. He must have worked for 25 minutes, trying different angles to get it around the corner and under the shelf (where it just barely fit). He would carry it by the tab, pull it in the "egg" position, push it with his nose, and nothing worked. Finally, he hit on the right way and got it back there. After about ten minutes we pulled it out again - he came right out and whisked it back under in about ten seconds flat, and has proceeded to do this every time since! I wish I learned things that quickly! Sorry I haven't been too communicative lately - summer is my busy season, and I fear until September I will always be about a week behind. However, I do read everything posted - I'm lurking there, just far behind! Thanks for the help with the "hiccups". Cheers - Mason, Slinky, and Leila (the cat who really wishes he would stop banging that stupid coke can around!). [Posted in FML issue 0860]