Good Morning, Today is my first day of recieving the ferret postings and was happy to see the postings on the name Loki. After thinking about getting a second ferret for months, yesterday was the big day. Off we went in search of a baby. The first stop was a pet store closest to home. The store had a 9 week old baby girl. She was kept in an 10 gallon glass tank in the back room behind glass doors. On top of the screen covering were heavy rocks. My heart ached and I thought we are taking her. When the store employee opened the cage the baby immediatly began attacking. I asked if how long she had been there and was told a week and was seldom handled. I began to get nervous about her temperment (and felt so bad for her) that I wanted to give her a fair chance. I plopped myself on the floor and let Meggie down. The kit attacked, and meggie quickly retreated to my lap. After sitting for a half hour I realized that this baby would need more help then we could give her. Meggie was terrified of her. Regrettably we left. At the next store we met a 7 week old male. The store did not have a place where we could sit safely and observe Meggie's interaction with him. The employee took him out of his large pen and he immediatly let his intentions known, he wanted down. Meggie looked a little interested. We let them meet nose to nose and decided to put them in the pen area together. Of course Meggie completely ignored him, prefering the large ferret ball instead. But the kit was not to be ignored and raced over to her. I got alittle nervous when they started to play, after being a single ferret owner for three years but the employee assured me that it was normal ferret play. Then Meggie put her paw on the kit holding him down as she began to clean his fur. The choice had been made. Refusing a box "Merlin" was placed on a leash and home we came. Within 10 minutes of entering the house he escaped his leash. I kept thinking Merlin does'nt fit. Loki after the God of mischief seems better. A quick name change. ( imagine my surprise to see this mornings postings on the name Loki and I thought I was being so orginal) I live in a mobile home with a lot of places that a furrie could get into trouble so outside playtime is closely monitered. The living room where the cage is kept is ferret proof. I have to large screens that block the two open doorways and Meggie has always been content exploring the one room. Loki is well named. He spent more time trying to escape the living room then playing where he can. Meggie has a harness leash,Which the pet store did not stock, much better then the rope leash of Loki's. After a quick visit to the vet's this morning we go in search of a safer leash. We have a outside furrie run which is a favorite of Meggie's and I want Loki to have his introduction to the great outdoors. But certainly not on the leash he can escape from! We are working on no nipping. Have quickly discovered each furrie is different. Meggie took quickly to a firm no, Loki on the other hand thinks fingers are great for teething , much better then the offered toys. Bitter apple on the way! We are so proud of him this morning. The first trip inside the litter box to use for the appropriate reason. Glad to have found this list and look forward to sharing stories of our new baby and our much loved Meg. / Lisa [Posted in FML issue 1910]