I am not even sure how to start this, do I write Dear FML? My name is Dawn. I received my first ferret on my 36th birthday, March 9th. I was told that she was 6 weeks old, descented, and spayed. I fell in love with the little sable (I think) critter and named her Laweasel. I thought she might be lonely so I bought a cinnamon (I think). Thelma is also a female. Both of the ferrets have already had their first distemper shots at 6 weeks. I just started receiving the FML and have become a nervous ferret owner. I have started to believe that my ferrets will suffer from being descented. It seems that they may end up with some sort of anal thingie because of the descenting. I made an appointment with the vet to have the second distemper shot, and became worried about them having allergic reactions to the vaccine. On top of that the receptionist told me that they couldn't get their shots until they were 12 weeks old, which seems to be conflicting with what I am reading on the FML. The vets office told me that they "always" give the rabies vaccine at the same time as the distemper. On top of all the Laweasel got shut in our front door the other day. The door is self-closing (apartment building fire regulation). Laweasel screamed and cried when it happened, and couldn't bear weight on one of her front legs afterward. I cried all the way to the vets office, I was sure she was going to die. When I got there whe was fine. Laweasel also got stuck in a V shaped planter leg, screamed, cried and pooped. I thought that would kill her. My brother who gave Laweasel to me assures me that they are practically indestructible (in his opinion). Now Laweasel has been making a noise when she sleeps like she is coughing? Thelma ate a good deal of a super ball, and has been pooping it out. Laweasel is scratching her ears alot, and I am thinking that I am a bad ferret owner. I love them like crazy. They are the best friends I have ever had. I live in Minnesota, near St. Paul. I would really like any help, or suggestions that anyone can offer. I want to be a good ferret owner. I am just really overwhelmed about all the things that I have to learn, and learn fast. Any reply will be appreciated, just please don't flame me... I am really new to all of this, not just ferrets. :] [Posted in FML issue 1903]