I will make my introductions short and sweet (yea right). I have been a member of this list for around a year and a half. I first found information on ferrets from a AOL message board and the people on this board directed me to the FML. I have four ferrets, Whiskers, Tiny, Cocoa and Tigger. Whiskers is my big baby. He was our first. My daughter (who is now 12) begged and begged for a ferret. I would not give in. She saved her money and I let her buy Whiskers. In the morning I would get him out for some exercise and there he would be, laying on his back, looking at me with the sweetest, most adorable face. I would put him on my arm and take him with me to make coffee and get ready for work. We bonded quickly and it has been love ever since. He is the sweetest, most loving ferret. We bought Tiny as a friend for Whiskers. This was very traumatic as Whiskers had to show her who was boss and would drag her around. Again, my friends from the AOL message board helped me through this. Tiny is my only girl, sweet and petite but she holds her own with the guys. Last February I acquired Cocoa and Tigger. I know how some of you feel, but they were in a pet store, in a cage with no sleepy sack, nothing but a hammock and food and water. I would go there and they would kiss me to death. This went on for around two weeks until I bought them, took them home and gave them a wonderful life. There are no ferret rescues here in West Virginia but I would rescue one myself in a heartbeat. I have never had such joy brought to my life by these animals. They bring me joy every day of my life. My heart breaks for those not so fortunate. Cocoa is my rich, dark chocolate fert. His fur looks almost like mink and he is finally getting his winter coat. Cocoa can stand on his hind legs and steal things like none of my others. Tigger is my shy guy who bounces and bounces when he runs. He has recently been stealing my CDs? I can't believe I will see run down the hallway with a CD in his mouth! To Nancy, my daughter recently took Whiskers to school for a speech she had to do. My mom came to my house since I work and got him. I had painted one of Whiskers toenails and put his collar on him for identification. She put him in his carrier and off she went. The kids really liked her presentation. She also answered lots and lots of questions. My mother said she did a great job and she got an A! Needless to say, Whiskers came home and crashed. He was a hit and one tired boy. From "Almost Heaven" West Virginia Mindy Whiskers, Tiny, Cocoa and Tigger [Posted in FML issue 2150]