So, I hear you people south of the border have had a wee bit of snow. Welcome to the snow belt! <Snicker - snort!> Sorry - that wasn't nice but after years of hearing about Manifest Destiny, it's sort of ironic that the gov't down there had to shut down. I guess we're safe from take-overs till you've got weather control! If it makes you feel better, we people used to driving and living with snow like watching people in Vancouver try to drive in the stuff to! The best bet is to make sure you've got food, water, and wood (if you have a fireplace), and if possible someone to talk to. Ferrets are cute, but let's face it - they aren't great at English (or French for that matter!) BTW - If you've got that much snow, keep an eye on your roofs. Flat roof+heavy snow+building codes for low snow areas ~ roof in basement! You may need to shovel, or hire someone to shovel if you're not comfortable with it (I'm not!) BTW Also - A note on cars from someone with a 200,000 mile+ car! - If you've got cold temperatures (-10C or below), leave your car till the sun can warm it up then lift up the hood and tuck an old blanket over the block after the sun goes down or moves out of range (remember to remove the blanket before starting - leave a big flap out the wind-shield side to remind you!). This will also help cut wind cooling the block. Snow will insulate the car from both heat AND cold, so you may want to clean off the sides, hood, and the roof and pile it up to cut drafts from below. Hopefully you'll never have to know about block heaters! However, on to other things! BATHS: Monster got her first bath in who knows how long! I know she's about 4 years old, and I got her (she got me?) in October. She was PATHETIC!!!!! She does nip quite a bit, but she didn't even try to bite! She looked at me like I was killing her. When we finished she went NUTS! After reading about Amber and Bear and the 'Sliding Slugs' on the towels, I don't feel quite so bad. When we finished, she stayed in her cage all day (~7 hours) except the one time she came out and 'saluted' the tub! However, she looks better, her coat feels better, and she smells better. I guess we'll compromise at 3 month intervals for now. MORE ON SNOW: We haven't tried snow-snorklin yet, though we certainly have enough! Unfortunely, it's illegal to be a ferret in London Ontario (something I found out after I got her! Remind me not to move to California). Besides, Monster considers her harness some sort of medeival torture device, at least a 3 raison indignity. FOOD: What's with the food issue - I'm feeding Iams Adult Cat (orange bag). There are no ferret foods available here, and I wasn't please with what she was eating when I got her (Grocery store junk). Any suggestions, stuff I can buy by mail or get my vet to order? Good luck with the weather and happy snorkling for those of you who will wear your harnesses! Megan and Monster! ** Monster - "NOBATHNOBATHNOBATHNOBATH" [Posted in FML issue 1442]