Mr. Ben Wilborn, I do not agree with you that you "have to hurt your ferret." Personally, I have never had trouble with my ferrets biting because I have always loved them and cared for them the way they should be cared for. No ferret should be hit, flicked on the nose, or whatever, because it is just wrong. You don't go around hitting people when you don't agree with something they do, right? I also don't agree with someone hitting a doberman (as you said in your original post). No animal should be abused in ANY situation! If you want to spay or neuter your ferret or pet that is for a humane reason, for their health. You're not hurting them because you hit them while you were upset when they did something wrong. Many people reading your post are going to think that it is OK to abuse an animal. That may be your opinion, but I would have to disagree with you, as I am sure many people would. As for us treating our ferrets better than our children: Some of us consider our ferrets children! I don't think we are the ones that are being insensitive because we don't hurt our animals. I also feel sorry for any ferret or animal that may live with you, Sir. I certainly wouldn't want to live with someone that would hurt me for something I might have done wrong. I will be sure to go give my fuzzies an extra hug and kiss this afternoon. Best regards, Meghan Seven Star Ferrets - http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/3808/ (Sabrina: "Dook, Dook, give me a raison!" Sebastian: "Ohh, I wanted that sock!! Give it to me!!" Sylvester: "I tawt I taw a putty tat! Ohh, I did! She was eating my food!" Sasha: "Ok, I'm the princess. Give me a treat!" Sadie: "Yeah, I wanted that stuffed animal but Sasha took it!" Sir Phoenix: "Got food?" Skylar: "I'm the baby. Gimme a treat!") [Posted in FML issue 2466]