Okay, I know I posted this before, but re: Cashew clamping on & not letting go: the easiest way to get him to let go is to put your fingers lightly over his nostrils. He will have to let go to breathe. I think whoever told you that you are dealing with a ferret with an attitude is sadly mistaken. He's a *baby* showing some relatively normal play behavior. He just needs to learn he can't play with *you* that way. Though the bites can be painful, please don't take it personally. I found that *not* putting (Norman) down when he bit was helpful, and I also hissed at him (ferret for 'knock it off') and blew on his face and said "no!" I also think wearing them out with plenty of play (something like tug-of- war with a towel so he can't get a your hands) is helpful. I hope you can get through the biting stage because I am sure Cashew is basically a very lovable little fuzzbean. Dick--your story about the ferret starting to eat again was very beautiful. Says a lot about the power of love. Re: countertops I have all the top drawers in my kitchen taped with duct tape to keep a certain ferret, whose name won't be mentioned, off the kitchen counters. Looks tacky, works great. (They still have access to all the drawers, though.) Rabies testing: I know I posted this before, and I apologize if I missed the answer: how *do* they test humans for rabies and why can't this method be used on animals? --Ronnie and... Cinderella ("You can't go to work, playtime isn't over yet") Norman ("LAPRA: do you guys need help with any repotting? It's my specialty and mom doesn't let me do it") Ralph ("Okay, enough kisses. Put me down so I can do some serious playing!") [Posted in FML issue 1163]