Belle has always been good at shoulder riding. She sits on my husband's shoulder while he putters about the kitchen, and will make a nice neck warmer when we go to the store, peeking out from our hair. Caruso on the other hand won't stay on a shoulder for more than a few seconds. He'll slide down your back, and has no fear of falling. We got our annual solicitation from Humane Society of the United States. I wrote a nice letter saying that I would no longer support them until they changed their position on domestic ferrets. I said they had by now received enough factual info from other ferret owners and lovers to know the truth, and with the recent legalization of ferrets in MA and last year in MI, they had better revise their stance before everyone realizes their hypocrisy and inconsistency. I quoted their own words about caring about "all animals" back at them. Maybe one day they will get the message if we keep sending it. On another matter entirely, Caruso's winter coat is thick, long and silky soft. He would make a wonderful set of ear muffs if I could get him to stay on my shoulders! Belle never had such a thick coat, and she seems particularly sparse this year. Any suggestions on how to improve her coat? They eat a mix of Iams Kitten and other high quality cat/kitten foods, with Brewer's yeast w/garlic sprinkled on top. They get a few drops of Ferretone each day, and Belle also gets a bit of Ferretvite. Which brings up another story: when I first got the Ferretvite, neither of them were interested in it at all, even after having a bit smeared on their noses a couple times. I taught Belle to like it by putting a tiny bit on a raisin. After a few times of that, she loved the stuff. Caruso still had no interest, but he keeps wondering what Belle gets so excited about. So this morning, when Belle was licking the Ferretvite off my finger, Caruso decided it must be good, so he got his big tongue in there too. He even tried to gently grab hold of my finger and carry it away! Linda, Richard, Joy, Belle and Caruso [Posted in FML issue 1410]