I read with interest the letters complaining about folks who think ferrets are dangerous and blood-thirsty. I read them with interest because I used to be one of those people. I hope my letter will help you understand how people can think this way. I was brought up hearing stories of ferrets biting chins off people. I don't know where my parents heard these stories, but they believed them. Later I found out a friend's sister had a ferret. I never met it, but found out she loved it. I also had a friend with a ferret, and though she lived far away I could tell she was devoted to it. After they were legalized here they began to appear in pet stores. I was surprised at how docile they seemed; even when people poked fingers in the cages they would ignore them -- I had expected they would bite people's fingers off. Since I saw ferrets first hand and read up on them, my opinion of ferrets has completely turned around -- I even turned my parents' opinions around so that they are actually excited about the fact that I am getting a ferret soon (hopefully at the GLFA Ferret Rennaisance this Nov!). I think the thing to do with these people is to let them see a real ferret in action. Maybe like me, they will completely turn around. I have had this experience with parrots -- people think they are mean and vicious until they are exposed to happy and content parrots. I think this could be the same, and perhaps one day they will realize the error in their ways. I hope this helped you understand how some people can be so misinformed. --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com --------------------------------------------------------- [Posted in FML issue 1719]