Okay, various comments to various postings. I've been extremely busy the last few weeks and haven't even had the time to LURK completely. Sheesh. I have a few seconds before my niece and nephew (my wards for the week) wake up and I have to do the pat down check on the bed to see if they stayed dry over night. About Scott and Toons. Scott and I both live in Austin, Texas which would seem to suggest it was probably hot here when Toons died. But it wasn't. It was actually a very cool breezy weekend. Sunday was the 'hottest' day and I think it only barely reached 80. I'm thinking it was a combination of things that caused this tragedy. I'm only saying this for those of us who would be quick to blame Scott for what happened. I was in the same city the same day it happened, and I would not have imagined that would have happened. I would have probably tried to sneak my ferret into the restaurant instead, but them I'm a bit of a trouble-maker. :) Me and my crew feel for you, Scott. The ringworm kitty (Chloe) had her kittens nine days ago. Two of the four kittens have their eyes open. They're quite adorable. Anyway, Chloe has gotten her shots now and the kittens will get wormed (if necessary) and stuff as soon as they're able. My question, how soon can I let them meet the ferrets? Should I wait until they're completely weaned and ready to find homes? I'd like to socialize them as early as possible. I wouldn't consider putting them with Applejuice or Max because they're a bit too crazy. But Beckett as the sweetest, calmest thing who I know would LOVE to cuddle those new furries. Any suggestions? Speaking of Chloe reminds me of Casper. I think someone MAY have owned Chloe before I took her in. I took her in because it was cold and wet and I felt a pregnant belly. If someone HAD owned her, they didn't take good care of her. She had ringworm, and tapeworm, and earmites and her fur was very matted. And, she obviously hadn't been spayed. She's mine now, because _I_ take care of her. I say you KEEP Casper. He's YOURS now because you love him unconditionally. Even if he smells, or he poops in the wrong corner, he's your baby and you love him. Just tell his FORMER owners that your family has grown too attached to Casper and they can find themSELVES a new ferret if they're interested. They had their chance. Kitty proofing a litter box. I had the same problem with Chloe. Dormilon, the cat I've had for nearly 16 years, always goes in his own box, but Chloe went in every teeny box strategically placed in ferret corners. You might try covering the ferret boxes like cat boxes are sometimes covered, just on a smaller scale. Cut out a cardboard box so that it looks like a little table and place it over the ferret box. Too short for the cat to bother trying to maneuver but tall enough that the ferrets just think they have a shaded poop place. My only problem was getting the ferrets to stop trying to drag it off. Well, the humans are awake. Fortunately they both insist that the bed is dry, and there are no tale tell signs on them (wet pj's) so this may be a great day yet! I absolutely adore my niece and nephew, btw. :) My niece is bumping me off the computer. "Aunt Anna can I pwease pway Dr. T's Sing Along? Pwease?" *sigh* How can I say 'no?' Happy ferretting! Ahn (the auntie) Gabe and Jarrett (the niecephews) Chloe and Dormilon (the cats) Twitch, Bonk, Boomer and the Nameless Wonder (the kittens) Applejuice, Beckett, and Max.3 (the beastlings) and finally last and least Alpha (the Beta fish) [Posted in FML issue 1141]