I have always been extremely proud to show off my first ferret, Peanut. He is a beautiful siamese with a thick silky coat and is such a doll. He has always been the perfect little ambassador for ferret awareness! Peanut is the only ferret I've raised from a tiny kit, he is a MF ferret that came home at 6 weeks of age. The other 7 furballs living in my home have all been rescued or adopted. I was cleaning boxes last night (like every night!), and they were trying their best to see what was in the plastic trash bag. So much of my time was spent wrestling them out of the bag, entertaining them for a moment and returning to my chores (only to repeat the whole process). Like every good mom, I love each of my little babies for what makes them special. Fuzz #3, Jack, was taken in from the local county SPCA and is large silver mitt. He has been with us since September. When he came home he was skinny and had a very rough discolored coat. Playing with him last night, I realized how beautiful he had become. I kinda sat back and looked at each of my guys from an objective standpoint, and I patted myself on the back for what beautiful wonderful pets these previously unwanted, mistreated animals were. As proud as I am of Peanut, I am just (if not more) proud to show off those fuzzies that came to my home scared, timid, terrified of every noise. I remember the sad looking little sable mitt girl that would tremble when she was picked up. After 4 months in our home, she climbs all over me when I am on the floor. Or the ones with the rough, discolored or patchy coats that are now thick, silky and shiny. If you are thinking of bringing another ferret into your home, you might be surprised to find out how wonderful you will feel to adopt a rescue/shelter ferret in need. Granted, many of those in shelters are not the most appealing at that moment, but keep in mind where and what situations they may have come from, just give them a few months. As for their love. They love a little differently than you and me. I know when I am cooking and someone stands on my foot trying to see what is happening, they trust and love that I will not hurt them. Can they hug and kiss the way we show affection, okay not exactly, some not at all. But, when they sneak under the sofa and nip your toes, consider it a love bite. When they grab a body part and try to drag you into their favorite hidey hole, consider it a compliment. That's it for me, just wanted to pay tribute to all those skinny, scrawny, 'why would you adopt that' looking ugly ducklings that came home to love and attention and turned into beautiful swans. I agree that kits are hard to resist, but I guess my softest spot goes for that scared, unloved, mistreated ferret that has a war dancing, spaz acting, sock stealing, prize winning beauty somewhere inside. Jen and the Gang [Posted in FML issue 2550]