Alicia a newby? That's like labeling Steve a slacker. No way! (Hmm, Steve's startlingly modest, too -- wonder if the two are spirit sharing? If so, Alicia, when will the Business Week article come out? Steve won't tell me.) Oh, someone noticed my praise for Lynn and Mike and thought I was dissing Pam by omission. Nope. Might have worded it poorly, but she's held in strong respect and trust here. Otter's ferrets go boom: hang some hammocks underneath so the fall will be broken close-by with something soft and forgiving. If I may be a bit silly on a serious topic: If humans are really so all-fired smart that we can "own" other critters then we SHOULD be intelligent enough to somewhat adjust our own behaviors instead of expecting ferrets to all of the mental work needed for compromise. If humans can't figure out how to adjust then perhaps ferrets should actually own us. In that case, though, bopping them (for those who engage is this behavior -- of which we disapprove) would be tantamount to "biting the hand that feeds you", although in such situation it would become "striking the face which kisses you". Of course, those who hit ferrets might NOT be kissed by those sweet faces. Ever wonder why? How inclined are you to kiss someone who has bashed you in the snout? Sure, it can be hard to learn how to train without the primate short-cut of hurting with those hands, but it seems that the longer people have ferrets the less they resort to pain (and the sweeter their ferrets become) so there's hope. Frankly, I'm not the swiftest road runner in the road so if could learn to train through kindness anyone can. I LOVED that comparison to an elephant raising a human!!!! It was just so on the mark. Sukie A quick note which isn't ferret, but I know a lot of people here have allergies. The dentist had a lab make up a special mouth guard for me which is called a "Snore No More" which has a tab that keeps the mandible pushed to the front in an underbite position, and I just have to tell you that aside from letting Steve get some sleep (Poor Woofer!) it also keeps my airway more open so I've been able to have 2 fewer hours of sleep each night and awaken refreshed. Very useful and perhaps this type of answer may help some others here. [Posted in FML issue 2660]