Following my request of advice about Igor's behaviour I received several direct e- mails: all very nices, and one not so nice.. I answered directly to all of them, but here is my answer to that person --------------------------------------------------- Dear Mrs.xxxxxxx let me thank you first for answering my request of explanation for understanding what can have caused that sudden biting of Igor; perhaps the fact that I'm not writing in my mother language gave you a wrong impression on what really happened. So I'll try to be more clear because I absolutely reject the idea of being an animal abuser. I was and I am quite often accused of excess in love for animals from otherwise nice persons that cannot understand completly how you can be involved with them. I had to grab his throat because there was no way to convince him to open his mouth that was absolutely firmly stuck to my flesh, and insisting on that: in no way it was an attempt to choke him; it probably was not the best idea, but it was the only one in that moment of (my) pain. I'm perfectly conscious of the damages that can result to anybody by the use of the force, so be reassured that it was not done with rage but with the only objective of opening his mouth without hurting him. I knew Pamela Greene's suggestion on how to use your finger to open a mouth, warning against the risk of possible damages forcing it. You said that there is always a reason, but the fact is that THERE WAS NOT REASON AT ALL ! They were quietly in the cage, they went near the front, as usual, when I approached and when I introduced my hand, as I usually do several time a day for caressing them, I was viciously biten. As I clearly said I have Igor since 5 months and it seemed to me clear enough what I said about how much he, and Orietta, are cared and loved; most of all I also said that since the beginnig he was so sweet and never biting, sometimes nipping lightly but this was never a problem; that's why I felt so frustrated when he bited me in that vicious way: it was not usual or expectable by such a dear ferret. Just a detail: I use to carry him around the city with me in a kind of rucksack for small animals (on my chest) and we spend many hours that way (alternating him with Orietta, two toghether are too much); I'm very happy when people stops me asking what animal he is and I explain them what is a ferret, trying to contribute to enhance the ferret's culture that is until now almost non existing here. I know that is impossible, but I would really like you to talk to my vet, that comes in my house for vaccinations, and that knows perfectly, and could witness, how my ferrets are cared and loved. I cannot anyhow understand how you have got the impression that I was proud when he made some shot of piss; believe me, it is exactly the opposite. Of course I scared him with my voice, not with the spanks that were no more than little hits on his back, and that is what I meant when I said that I didn't hurt him. I probably misused the word "severe": it was referred to my attitude, not to the strength. He did not scream at all; believe it or not (I'm not used to say lies) before putting him in the cage I kissed him on the head saying to him "You, little stupid..." Then I also said that after a while I was there playing with him, and that he was nice as usual (that's why I asked advice about his previous behaviour): do you really think that if I had mistreated him he would have accepted to come out from the cage walking on my arm till the shoulder and then war-dancing with me on the floor making his usual chuckling ? In my opinion your message is too emotional, as you were insulting me and considering me as the criminal that killed those poor two ferrets, without knowing me, only on the ground of my (possibly not very well expressed) report of a fact and of the scolding that followed it. The only positive thing is that you showed to be a person that cares very much for animals, as I am. Regards. ----------------------------- That's all. Any comment ? Fulvio [Posted in FML issue 2461]