Hello all- I'm new to the FML, and not much for lurking, so I thought I'd make myself acquainted. My boyfriend first introduced me to ferrets with his female Taz (Brad- is your Taz short for Tazmanian Devil, too? :-)). I thought she was wierd looking, and I was a little scared with her arched back and funny noises. But I quickly fell in love when she curled up on my lap or kissed my ear for ferretone. Ferret obsession descended (maybe it's contagious?) and I bought myself an adorable silver mitt male named Jasper from the pet store (our excuse was that Taz needed a friend!). He was six months old when I got him, but very well behaved, utterly adorable. They play in the big cage we made them, and get lots of love and some treats. The only thing that's keeping us from the dreaded ferret math disease is that my boyfriend and I are waiting til we get married and can live together in a bigger house! I don't do pet stores anymore; I don't even GO to a mall with a pet store. And all those great ferrets in shelters who need homes.... oh I can hardly wait! <grin> As to Willow Bear's and Brae's ferret noises, I hear Taz do it all the time. She usually hisses when she's strongly expressing her opinion on something: nagging Jasper and demanding his attention (little princess) or telling me she's displeased with something, or she's just grumpy and doesn't like anything, like a two-year-old who needs a nap. Jasper doesn't do it (he's not so strong willed, sweet thing), but she does it all the time. I think it's cute, and sometimes she just needs me to pick her up and cuddle her. It looks to me like a sign of an opinionated fuzzie! Next post won't be so long.... promise! Ariel & Craig, Jasper and Taz