Let me start by saying, I love my Marshall Farms ferrets. Oscar and Lilly make me so happy everyday. But I will say everyday is a learning experience for me. When I purchased my first Oscar in October of 1997 it was an impulse buy. I knew nothing about ferrets. The pet store I bought him told me to buy cat food, ferretone, a cage, litter and a litter pan. They put Oscar in a box and off we went. My husband got on the computer and pulled up a lot of information the next day on ferrets. After reading the pages of do's and don'ts, we understood it was not cute that Oscar was panting after we brought him outside to play in 90 degree weather. So from the beginning I was learning. I found the FML a few months later and really started understanding my ferret. The point I am trying to make, I am glad that Oscar was altered before I bought him. I am also very thankful that my female Lilly was altered too when my children bought her in May. Thru the FML and my internet service I would have been able to find the nessasary information needed to cope with a female in season. A lot of people that have ferrets might not have access to this information. I have noticed many people posting about their ferrets screaming! I have never heard Oscar or Lilly scream or really make any type of noise. On occasion Oscar will hiss or dook. I heard Lilly dook for the first time yesterday. Even when I have stepped on Oscars tail or paw he has never made a noise. That made me feel worse than I already did knowing that I had hurt him and he did not make a sound. Hugs and kisses to all the sick babies out there. My prayers are with you and your humans. The same goes for all the ones that have crossed over the Bridge. Your stories break my heart. A special prayer to the man that lost his baby the other day and felt he was not cut out to be a ferret owner. I was touched by your story. When Oscar and Lilly have been sick I too have questioned, 'am I up for this?' I know I have the love to give them. I question if I am strong enough to ever let them go. God Bless, Carol Voivedich, Oscar ferret and Sweet Lilly [Posted in FML issue 2385]