FerretWise Ferrets Go to School by Troubles, McKenzie, Cleo and Prince (as told to Mary-Michael Scanlon, aka "Mom" :-) reprinted from Issue 2 1998 "Frolic" newsletter Troubles: One morning, Mom woke us up really early. Cleo: It wasn't *that* early. Prince: oh yes it was! I was still asleep. Cleo: <snort> You're always asleep. Troubles: A-hem! I'm telling this story! Mom got us out of our, nice warm hammy-beds and put us in our carriers and said we were going somewhere special. McKenzie: I thought we were going to the vet. Prince: What are you complaining about? You got a whole carrier to yourself! Troubles: Can I continue, please? We drove in the car a long way and then stopped at a place with a lot of noise - laughing and lots of hustle and bustle. All sizes of two legs were running up and down stairs and around in the yard! Mom took us out of the car and we went up the stairs into a hallway where she put our carriers down. And all around us we heard people saying, "Look! It's the ferrets! The ferrets are here today! Cleo: Yes! I liked that. They thought we were *very* special! McKenzie: And then I got to come out! Mom pulled me out of the carrier and held me in her arms, and lots of big and little two legs came up to me and told me how beautiful I was. And then I gave Mom lots and lots of kisses and everyone laughed and said how surprised they were that ferrets were so gentle .....and affectionate. and then teacher said "Welcome to the Chelmsford Children's School" and said that the "nursery school class" was ready for us. So Mom put me back in the carrierThen a big two leg came over ...... Troubles: ....and then we all went into a room full of very tiny two legs all sitting in a circle. Mom asked them if they'd ever seen a ferret and a few said yes, but most said no. Mom put on a ferret puppet and talked about us and how playful we are and how long we live and then she passed the puppet around to the little two legs and talked about FerretWise "shelter".... MacKenzie: What's a "shelter"? Cleo: it's like a big cage where you're warm and safe and the two legs give you everything you want. Troubles: ...and how they help all kinds of sick ferrets get well and find good homes. Then Mom reached in and pulled me out and told about my amazing story..... Cleo: <groan> I've heard you tell your "amazing story" 42,000 times now. Troubles: Well, the little two legs liked it. Cleo: The little two legs don't live with you. Troubles: I'll ignore that. Mom told them all about how I was lost in the woods with a broken leg and then Ferretwise found me and fixed me all up, and found me a home! She explained that ferrets came in different colors and that I was "albino." Then she brought me around the room and let the little two legs pet me! The kids were all real impressed 'cause I was white! Cleo: Then she took me out and put my harness on! I got to walk around and beg for Ferretone. Everyone said I was so beautiful and soft! Mom talked about male and female ferrets and the difference in sizes. The kids asked what we liked to snack on and Mom said Cheerios and raisins. They the little two legs all laughed and said *they* snack on cheerios and raisins too! No wonder people are always running out! Prince: Yes and then I got to come out. Mom talked about FerretWise helping ferrets who were sick. She said I had a bad heart and talked about the medication I take that makes me feel better. Then she let each of the little two legs that wanted to come up and give me a hug! It was so nice! There were big two legs there too and they asked questions about our cousins; weasels, black footed ferrets and otters. Troubles: Then they said it was time to go "upstairs", so we all had to go back into our carriers and walk down another hallway and up some stairs. Then, we were in another room with more little two legs! They said these were "kindergarten and pre-k", whatever that is. These little two legs were noisier. They kept crowding close to us to see us better. Mom told my story again and a little boy asked Mom if she had my cast! She didn't but showed them a picture of me with my cast on. They were impressed! McKenzie: Then she brought me out and told about my sensitive tummy and how she gives me medicine to make me feel better. She talked about being careful not to step on ferrets and let me run around so she could show how my spine is curved. The kids all laughed. Prince: Then I came out again and everyone gave me a hug! I liked that. Mom says she can do that because I am very gentle. Cleo: Mom can do that because you're asleep most of the time. Prince: You're just jealous because Mom can't do that with you 'cause you run around too much. Cleo: I'm *active*. I jumped around and played for the little two legs and they all laughed. Prince: Harumph!! Troubles: The little two legs talked a lot about their pets they had at home, and asked some questions about us. Then it was time for us to go home. We had a really good time, though, and we hope we get to go back again. Prince: Yes! And Mom told us to thank the McQuade family for making a donation to FerretWise for our presentation! Cleo: And don't forget the school sent us those neat thank you notes with our beauuuttt-ii-ffful portraits! Troubles: Boy, were we tired when we got home! We slept and slept! But it was a really neat adventure! McKenzie: Yeah, being "school ferrets" was really fun! If you love ferrets visit our shelter page at: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~crassi/index.html [Posted in FML issue 2356]