My fianc e and I became the proud new parents of a female kit 10 days ago, and weIre glad thereIs an outlet like the FML where people can let babble endlessly about our furry friends; talking enthusiastically to "other" people only seems to invoke polite bewildered stares suggesting we have most surely "lost it". As we ferret owners seem to agree, itIs baffling why these little weasels arenIt the most popular pet on earth. Our kit has already suggested signs of being a literary type, since she loves to scoff books and smuggle them under her hiding places. Not just any books, either, she always goes for CamusI "LI tranger". Of course, she seems to have breezed through that book quickly and now has cleared out the rest of the lower bookshelf. SheIs also exemplarily courageous. I tower above her at 1m96 (6I5"), and yet SHE starts chasing ME around the room when I incite a game of mock combat. Mind you, once sheIs exhausted all her energy she falls into a deep sleep (read: coma) on my lap and probably dreams about getting into the cow pastures for a REAL meal (I MUST find the original post that created all that hilarious follow-up). In short, two weeks ago I barely knew what a ferret was. Today, IIm a prophet preaching the wonders of these amazing little critters to anyone I can get to listen to me. Hope all you ferrets and ferret owners out there have a happy new year! P.S. I havenIt been to one yet, but I hear Ferret Frolics are a riot. I know the community here in Ottawa (Canada) has a big gathering in May, but has there ever been an international event? Maybe you ferret friends in upstate New York are numerous enough to get something going with the Ottawa Ferret Association? [Posted in FML issue 1057]