Okay, I do not want to be flamed for this post. I had my ferrets before I watched this show and I kept them after. I'm starting a club/shelter. I love my fuzzies. However, we can't adaquately defend our babies if we don't kow the truth behind the criticism. So here goes: Many, many months ago, I was watching a news commentary on the California issue. The DFG had some really great ammunition for their side. A bullet that was real hard for people who love children to ignore. (I actually watched this child's testimony, she was very good for their side, very detrimental to ours.) One of their witnesses was a little girl (10 - 12 years old), who has no nose. When she was an infant, a ferret climbed into her crib and attatcked her. When her parents responded to her a screams they found the bloody ferret standing on top of their bloody faced infant repeatedly biting at the child. The little girl told the legistature about the operations that she has already gone through. The operations that she still has to go through. About how both children and grownups react and treat her. We all know that a child with no nose has had to put up with some really disgusting remarks from even more disgusting people. She explained to the legistature how vicious and mean and conniving ferrets are, how they only belong in the zoo. Had I not already had mine, I never would have allowed one in my house. Anyone who has never been around them would have a hard time not believing this little girl. My boss at work doesn't like ferrets. Reason: he use to work for a guy that had one that was allowed to bite feet. Not only his owner's, but anyone's that he chose. Results, Steve thinks all ferrets bite. I have a hard time convincing him that they don't since my adoptee is a biter of feet. Read thru the FML. Yes ferrets bite. (Why are several (many) turned into shelters: because they were horrific biters) Yes dogs bite. In order to successfully argue our case, we must be aware of actual cases our critics have found out about. We must acknowledge that ferrets are like any other domesticated animal. Raised by negligant (sp?) or abusive owners, they either live in a cowered state or a state of protection in which they strike out before being struck. My dogs don't bite, I'm not about to be silly enough to believe that others don't. But you better believe, I'm not giving up my dogs because my neighbor failed to control or teach his better. Ditto with my fuzzies. No flames. No cursing me thinner. I love my fuzzies as much as you love yours. Deena [Posted in FML issue 1727]