Hey Everyone, Paul Ellis mentioned a footless ferret he saw in a magazine. I think he probably saw my ferret, Sampson. I took the picture for Ferrets USA for an article that Trish Curtis wrote on the proper type of bedding for ferrets. The main reason we did submit his picture was to get this type of reaction. Everyone needs to understand how dangerous bare wire in cages can be. And I agree with Paul, there is a real need for ferret cages that are not made this way. Sampson was given to a shelter in Houston along with his littermates. A couple there had a breeding pair that also eventually went to the shelter. The kits were about 5 months old when rescued. To clean them up for the shelter, the former owners took the cage to the driveway and hosed off the kits through the wire. When rescued Sampson's foot was already gone. The shelter was told he was born that way. None of the kits had been socialized to humans and all were biters. They were adopted out to experienced ferret owners. When I heard about Sampson I knew he should live with me. I had him checked out and my vet said that the foot was missing due to injury, not birth. All the kits bit faces only, we don't know why. Sampson has pierced my lower lip several times. He is better. He started out hanging on, now he just occasionally bites and although he still draws blood, it is no longer gaping wounds. The funny thing is, the whole time he has lived with me, he has been the biggest lap baby. He will let me love on him forever. They only thing I have to be careful about is giving him kisses. Yes, I put myself in harms way, but I believe it is the only way to show him that I won't hurt him and that I am trying to trust him. It is a *very* hard thing to do and not everyone can do this. I do not think myself better or anyone worse because of this, we are all just different. Sampson now has 18 brothers and sisters, whose cages are lined with indoor/outdoor carpeting. They have their own room and give me more love than I can give back. He always keeps me company when I clean their litter boxes, following me to each one and laying next to me. He is such a sweet boy and he got along with all the others right from the start. He moves just as fast as any of them (except for Miss Stella) and climbs with the best. His lack of foot doesn't slow him down at all and he even scratches himself with the stump. He is a big boy and has just recently decided to relax enough for me to tickle his belly during play. And he dances so cute!! Yes, I do like him just a little. :-) Mo' MAggie and the MAd MIzzou MOb [Posted in FML issue 1837]