Everyone has such great stories to tell about their ferret companions and their lives,,, so I thought I'd jump in... I work with computers in Fairmont, WV., and own one young sable ferret, born the first week of July. I was living in a condo in Maryland before, and didn't have pets...and was terribly pet-sick. My friends in Maine have ferrets, and I enjoyed visiting with them while they enjoyed the insides of my shoes. Last summer I read the web FAQ on Ferrets, bought some books, and started to think and prepare for a possible new pet. I told my mom about my plot, and she had less than nice things to say about them, but I figured that ferrets were like other pets, and with the appropriate handling, they turn out to be great... So I met my ferret Shelby in a pet store. She climbed up my arm and started playing with my "mountaineer-style" beard, so I got a cage, some bedding, and other stuff, and went home with her...armed with the theory that the books told me. I bought bitter apple that day...and never ever used it...I fixed her nipping problem by saying ouch!!! and sometimes wiping a drop of diet coke on my feet where she attacked... She is now 5 months old, and I take her everywhere. She loves to meet people, and stick her head out of the car window (I hold her) while driving. My mom loves her. And that's that. mark. [Posted in FML issue 2151]