Short update and some Q&A. Buddy is continuing to lose hair, but is otherwise healthly and energetic. Not too bad for 8 years of age. Crystal has recovered from her abdominal exploration and neutering, and has become a very lovey-dovey lap ferret. Chrys has lost his goodies as well, and except for some minor limping, is doing fine. His special odor has all but gone. Stella's hair has returned to her rat-like tail, and she has started to lick the ice of the front windows. For fun I let her push ice cubes around the kitchen. Everyone else is doing fine; the only thing upcoming is a possible descenting for Trillian who has had yet another impacted anal sac this week. As most of you know, I am against descenting except for medical or other compelling reasons, so the decision is based on the long term effects of continued painful anal sacs (and associated treatments) or a minor operation. A non-brainer. On the home front, my dad has gone back into ICU twice since my last post. Not a lot of long-term hope. Elizabeth, the black-hearted girl who revels in "Dad-disin'," spent two days in ICU for a particularly bad case of walking pneumonia, and is still hospitalized, but is doing very well. She apparently caught the same strain that killed Jim Henson. I'm very thankful we caught it before it was untreatable. She should have no long term effects. Today she was telling the nurses what a terrible dad I was for not bringing her chocolate ice cream. Q: My ferret is very fat and just lies around. What should I do? A: Give it a remote control and a beer, and claim you are married. First, all ferrets get fat during the winter. Tis' a natural thing and to be expected. Severe obesity is another thing, and is generally seen throughout the year. My Stella tends to be somewhat plump; she tends to be quieter than the others, and her play is not as vigorus. She is the only one out of 18 with the problem, although Apollo can chunk up in the winter. The compelling reason for obesity is the consumption of more calories than are metabolized; in short, overeating. In humans, this can be caused by environmental, physiological, and/or pyschological reasons, and some evidence exists that many animals respond in a similar fashion. I know of several studies in many animals that suggest access to unlimited foods, especially when boredom is a factor, will result in an overweight condition. Food restrictions and an interesting environment tend to take care of the problem. The suggestion that food needs to be somewhat restricted is not going to get many ferret fanatics approval, however. Suggestions that a short digestive tract and high metabolic needs require a constant food supply tend to ignore the biological fact that most carnivores (including polecats and feral ferret populations) normally gorge and fast, that is, go periods of time without food, then gorge when it is available. Healthy ferrets can easily go overnight without food, and I stopped feeding mine after dark more than a year ago. I admit some ferrets with specific illnesses may need to be an exception, but for the most part, I see no compelling need to overfeed the beasties. In support of my opinion are several studies which suggest the lives of animals are shortened when unlimited food is available. I have found that the most compelling reason for fat ferrets is simply a lack of stimulation in the environment. This is especially true in ferrets that spend gobs of time locked up and only limited time romping through the house. A stimulated ferret is everywhere, into everything, and almost in a constant state of play. A bored ferret is a lump, ambles rather than runs, and eats out of boredom. Just remember, ferrets are very intelligent, and require mental stimulation, as well as physical, in order to remain healthy. Q: You haven't said anything about the California Fish and Game lately. They scare you off? A: The only thing about them that scares me is they might touch me and I might not be able to get the stink off. The real reason is I've been very busy with family stuff. But just because you asked.... The CaCa Fish and Gestapo are so stupid.... ....the BA stands for "Blind Ass," and BS for "Born Stupid." ....they earned a Master's degree in baiting. ....they are role models for maggots. ....they think duplicity means duplication, and never repeat experiments although they seem to generate data. ....they have pistol envy with the CaCa Highway Patrol. They could never get over the fact that the bear on the CHIP badge is bigger than thiers. ....they are an entry in the dictionary under "pseudoscience." ....they would have been an episode of the "X-files" but were too unbelievable. ....they think they think. At least they think so. Finally, the main reason the CaCa Fish and Gestapo exists is to tax hunting/fishing and to make sure enough huntable animals live within the state. Thus, introduced animals that replace native species or do environmental damage are ok if you can hunt them, such as lots of fish, wild boar or pheasants. Its hard to shoot ferrets because they are fast, small, and live in burrows. Gee, I guess if they hurt the environment but were fun to shoot, we wouldn't have any problems making them legal. Bob C and the Missouri 18 (In Memory of Gus) [Posted in FML issue 1823]