Just a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and big Thanks note to all FMLers out there, you Bob especially, and, of course mostly, the four-footers. The Gang of Seven has grown more gregarious this past week. Hob Tarzan has ceased dragging his two girls (jills Claudette and Minnie) around by the head, as quickly as he began. For some reason, it was decided by the two two-footers that the time had come to release the greeney meanies (the two alpha ferrets, both neutered) into the cohort of five friends (four neutered males share one ferraritarium, while Tarzan and the girls share the other, but there are various combinations of social groups). Everyone lives side by side in a room so they watch and smell each other daily, and, thus far, we've only introduced Gadzook and Schroeder Boat briefly to Tarzan, under highly supervised visits, since they think he's the KING of EVIL, for some reason. Tarzan, a gentle, cuddly giant, proved his four-pound mettle by mastering Gadzee with barely a struggle, then proved his kindness (he only defends himself, doesn't like to fight) by giving Gadzee a good licking as if to say, "isn't this better?!" Then Schroeder Boat was released and the Gang of Seven was finally out together. Tarzan retreated into his bedroom with Claudette and Minnie after a few flourishes with Schroeder. Tarzan wrapped himself and the girls in a towel, making it very difficult for Schroeder to make inroads. When Schroeder finally poked his nose in it was met with hissing and squealing. Schroeder lost patience and drove Tarzee from his holding and Tarzee, after a few heavily supervised (by the two anxious two-footers) skirmishes which were much less extreme than we expected, Schroeder retreated, scampering, chuckling and jumping, around in apparent anger. The flushing attack was repeated a couple times until Schroeder settled down on a rug and went to sleep. Before he slept, though, we lavished him with love and affection, since he appeared to be mourning his alphdom status. Prior to the meeting, all ferrets were licking ferretone from our hands and we held Schroeder so he could sniff noses with Minnie and Claudette. The meeting went much smoother than expected and things can only get better from here (we've gone through this before!). It probably won't be long before there will be civility, interest, play and then finally, cuddling and love, among every heart in the Gang of Seven. The Gang of Seven has given Janos and I a great gift! - peace in our household and goodwill toward each other!! Happy Ferretty Holidays!! Lynn, SO Janos, big ole cat Wellington and the Merry and Peaceful Gang of Seven [Posted in FML issue 1420]