Hi Ed, First, let me thank you for many years ago getting me started with my first ferret, named Tigklu-go, in your breeding nomenclature, later renamed Frances. She's since passed on, but was a happy, spunky, well-loved ferrret while she was here. Grendel (a rescue I adopted from you at age 10 weeks about 6 years ago) is still happy, healthy, and raising heck (and little fountains of dirt, when I let him at it). I have to agree with you about ferrets and digging. Of my three, one, Diesel, is a real digger. The other two are usually too distracted when outdoors, preferring to cover more territory with longer, less in-depth walks. I think their strategy is "more sniffing, less digging," but they're able to cruise around at will with me in tow, rather than being staked out as your guys are. (I don't have a dog- and passerby-free zone in which to stake them out.) Indoors, they'll all dismantle a potted plant in minutes if I let them, so maybe I will get a trough as you suggested and let them have at it. I was thinking of using a kiddie pool before. If any of you on the FML are out walking your ferret in an area where there are crows, try to notice what the crows do when they spot your ferret slithering or bouncing along through the grass. The crows around the University of Washington pretty consistently sound alarm calls, which seems to make the ferret nervous (about other predators?). This continues until you pick up and hide the ferret from the crows. I think Ed's crows are used to the ferrets, but give alarm calls when hawks are around, which is beneficial to other crows and the ferrets. I hope to see some of you at the ferret show in the Seattle Center this coming Saturday (check FML #1998-2255 or email [log in to unmask] for more info). Happy Ferreting! Dennis [Posted in FML issue 2258]