Hi! My name is Celia, and I'm currently owned by 4 wonderfully weasely ferts. I live with my S.O. and my daughter on Long Island, and while I used to help my S.O. in his computer business, I am now going back to school full time for a degree in Physical Therapy. I've been a member of this list since 12/95. We recently (about 1 month ago) purchased our first MF ferret, a silver/tawny mitt, Odo (m, 4 mnths). Our other 3, Jake, (m,2y9m sable), Kes (f,1y9m, champange), and Dax (f,9m,sable mitt) are all from Path Valley. What prompted me to write at length, (I'm a devout lurker) is the difference in 'ferretness' in the 3 from PV and Odo from MF. Odo by far fits the text book description of a ferret more completely than the other 3. He is filled with such joy, wonderment, mischief-- and his dance, well, it is the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed. Now, I'm not saying that my other 3 are any less ferretty than Odo. And I love them all to total distraction. But my PV 3 are more laid back, contemplative (even as kits), and almost 'serious'. Their play is methodical, their intent on doing things seems to be focused and thought out. I was so surprised when Odo came into our lives.. the whole meaning of his life seems to be pure abandon and chaos. When he looks at you, straight into your eyes, your heartbeat quickens because you can only imagine what his next move will be. He will be standing in the middle of the floor, and jump straight into the air, as if he has rockets under his paws. He looks like a piece of popcorn in a hot skillet. He can also dance like a porpoise..front feet forward, down first, back arched, rear feet following behind. The stationary jumps are what really get us all off...we are tempted to nickname him Tigger. Even his bothers and sisters are startled by him. When Odo starts to dance, the others get out of the way and watch. Jake dances only when annoyed, or when we yell at him. His dance consists of his head moving to the right while his butt moves to the left, and he very rarely dances for more than 3 seconds, always ending with him scratching himself for 15 seconds! Dax will dance to entice the others to play. She lifts all four feet off the floor and propells herself diagonally. She often dances into walls. Kes is not a dancer. She also does not speak. The only noise she makes is her snarfing when she yawns after she wakes up. She's very tiny, very serious, and loves to sleep. Especially with her humans. If and when she does dance, her feet never leave the floor, it's kinda shuffling-type, and it's generally in response to Odo dancing over her! This riles her up enough to booger out of the way, but then she settles back down again. This is getting kinda long. See what happens when you don't post frequently enough? (Sorry, BIG). How do YOUR weasels wardance? -Celia [Posted in FML issue 2189]