I'd just like to throw in my .02 and agree with Erin about time out from cages. My free roam 3 yr olds probably only sleep an average of 16 hours a day, sometimes less (especially Giesela), sometimes more. I don't know where this "1 hour" came from but I've seen it mentioned on TV (sorry Mary but I don't agree), in newspapers from interviews with club sponsored rescue people etc. Every time I see "1 hour" I absolutely cringe. As for tail wagging - when I first got dryer tube they tail wagged but it doesn't excite them much any more. Giesela does tail wag when she has her head down a chipmunk hole. Not every hole so I'm assuming only holes with an occupant or a recent occupancy. Actually first her sides do this bellows thing, then her tail does something more akin to a rattlesnake shake. More bellows, rattle rattle. Then she commences digging. Then much to her disappointment I usually pull her off so she doesn't tangle with something. Every day after work I walk the dog before I even go inside. When I get back she's waiting at the door for her turn and she knows what her harness means. She'd be sooooo happy as an English hunting ferret - her prey drive is so high. Boris on the other hand could take it or leave it. Mary, Giesela and Boris [Posted in FML issue 2375]