The ferret taken in the raid in Ashland County Ohio last week has been turned over to our shelter for temporary care. I was cautioned by the humane society people that the ferret still legally belongs to the people who were arrested for animal abuse, and I can only give basic care and maintenance except in the case of life threatening illness or injury. They were not happy about this. They are under the same restrictions, and many of the animals taken need medical attention. Anyway, I brought the ferret home this afternoon, and put him right in the bathtub. I shampooed him twice, dried him in a towel and then set him down on the bathroom floor. To my joy, he acted pretty much like a ferret, rubbing himself against everything in sight to dry himself off, though he was a bit unsteady on the linoleum floor. I then let him out in the rest of the house. He trotted about, even ran about a bit, sniffing at and exploring everything, even going up and down the stairs. I was glad to see he had so much energy. He is eating, drinking and pooping well. The only thing that worries me now is that lump on the top of his head. It is about the size of half a ping pong ball. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the vet for an evaluation (they said that was ok). I am looking suggestions for names for him. Someone has suggested names related to the Coneheads, but I never watched that and don't know the names. Names can be humorous, heroic, sweet or whatever. He is an older chocolate male. Linda Iroff The Raisin Retreat Oberlin, Ohio http://www.oberlin.edu/~liroff/ncfs.html [Posted in FML issue 2477]