Today I have experienced something most joyful. My little rescue ferret Chanel sought me out and fell asleep in my lap. As I watched her tiny little self drift off to sleep I thought back on when she first arrived in our household. She was found in a cage in a dumpster. Her cage was small and filthy, her fur was coarse and dirty. Her waste stunk to high heaven (God knows what she was fed). She quickly established herself as the alpha ferret among the other three as she was quick and mean in her dominance fights. I was afraid we might have to give her up as the fighting was so fierce at times. Would they never settle in or must we keep them separated always? I remembered a story by Dick Bossart about a little ferret named Sam who would not eat until he was just held and loved so we kept loving her. Slowly as the months went by she started to settle in and actually "play"with my other fuzzies. When our ferret Bandit was injured recently due to a fall from a window she spent three days sleeping with him and staying close by in a very gentle way. Could this really be my little "wild child". I am constantly amazed at the ferrets ability to overcome adversity and become sweet and gentle creatures. All it takes is a lot of love and patience. Today I was handsomely rewarded with the trust and love of my toughest ferret whom I suspect is really my most fragile. I remain in awe of these dear little creatures. They have taught me so much:) Peace Karen [Posted in FML issue 1562]