I recently got a pamphlet in the mail from a place in Texas called Pet Castles. They sell a thing called a ferret sphere, in 13" and 16" sizes. I'm very interested, but the $29.95 & $39.95 US (plus tax, plus shipping & handling) kinda makes me wince. It's a heavy duty hollow ball with a hole in the side - like a big hamster ball for your slinkies! I think my crew would love it, but I thought I'd get some input from y'all out there! Has anyone dealt with this company before and/or does anyone have one of these contraptions?? Thanks! Also, since we're talking Christmas here - I want to get an artificial tree this year. I haven't had a tree of any sort in my place for *years*. I plan on buying/making all wooden, plastic and cloth ornaments (stuff that won't go crash if Nik & Buster decide to climb the tree). My question is, I have some of that shiny star garland stuff and would love to get more of it and use it instead of tinsel to shine up the tree. Is this stuff okay or have you found that your fuzzies go bonkers over the stuff? If I have to, I'll use the garland higher up - as in on the walls or somewhere inaccessible (or more inaccessible I should say!!). Thanks for the info! Happy dooking! George and her tribe! D. Pasquino/G. Peters Toronto, Ontario [Posted in FML issue 1385]