This is in response to the post asking for stories about people who wanted ferrets but husband, wife, so, etc didn't want one. My husband and I wanted to get a pet but we could not agree on what that would be. We couldn't have a dog because we live in an apartment. I couldn't have a cat because my husband and his children have alergies. I didn't want reptiles. So my husband and I were at the pet store and he said lets get a ferret! I said, I don't want a ferret they smell. We kept looking at the kits and I finally said if you want a ferret go ahead and get it, I don't care. Well, I don't remember how long it took but I fell in love with this ferret and I actually love the smell of ferrets. Its been almost 2 years since we got our first ferret and since then we have adopted another from a shelter in Massachusetts, that I volunteered at for almost a year. I love ferrets, they are my pride and joy, I can't wait to get home from work each day to see them and I get up extra early in the morning to play with them before I leave. I read everything I can on ferrets, go to numerous frolics. I just can't get enough of them, they all have a special place in my heart, I'm so grateful my husband talked me into buying our first one because they have done great things for me and in return I try to do all I can to help ferrets in need. I am also very active with the Massachusetts Ferrets Friends. I also have a couple of questions about my ferret, Lottie, she is the ferret I adopted from the shelter. 1) Every couple of days she will make this noise that sounds like a cough, it makes me think of whooping cough. I am concerned about this but she seems to be ok as far as active, eating etc. She was treated for helicobacter infection about 4 months ago. 2) Lottie also has this strange behavior of pooping in strange places. I'm not sure if she gets excited and looses control of her bowels or what. For example if someone comes to visit she will run around and just poop in the middle of the floor. I have found poop on our headboard of our bed. On the kitchen table, in the laundry basket on clean clothes. I'm not sure if this is her way of "marking" or what . If anyone has any ideas or experience with either of these please respond. Thanks, Sandy, Schnookie, & Lottie (oops!) [Posted in FML issue 2623]