A few posts back there were concerns expressed by a few about the fish content of some of the commercial ferret foods currently marketed. Some have expressed displeasure because such chow smells of fish and may be mink food that has been mixed with other stuff and then sold as "ferret" food. Don't really know what the problem is here, because at the Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation, Education & Training Society, NorthWest, all kinds of fish are fed our ferrets in their home-made ferret food that is synthesized by that Prince of Ferret Chefs, namely one Edward Lipinski. He makes 3 gallons of soup de jour nearly every day for his little army of ferrets and this soup contains several different kinds of fresh fish, as listed above. Whole salmon heads, all the spines, tails and fins are cooked in a pressure cooker until the bones, eyes, sharp teeth and facial plates are cuttable easily with a pair of scissors. This softened fish, along with the rich fish nectar, is then "Frapped" in a high-speed blender and stored frozen in cottage cheese containers in Mrs. Lipinski's freezer compartment. Then when LUMPS is being prepared for the day's ration, one container of the fish is added to the cooking pot. So you see, the FNW ferrets get lots of fish to eat along with lots of fresh cooked meat (and other ingredients) in their soup. And, perhaps best of all, it's all free for the asking from the local supermarket meatcutter. That's "Free" as in F R E E. Hey! You shelter managers who are spending big bucks for commercial ferret food, consider making your own home-made ferret food, like LUMPS, and improve your bottom line. And, you know, never, ever has there been a case of ECE at FNW, despite the fact that FNW is constantly on the receiving end of many different ferrets that are turned in for all sorts of reasons. And many are in desperate shape upon arrival. I don't know why we are so lucky in this respect, but we must be doing something right, wouldn't you say? So, to those of you who are so concerned that there may be "too much fishy stuff" in your commercial ferret food, all I can say is to look to FNW for guidance and know-how when it comes to rearing outrageously healthy ferrets. Oh yeah, also one very spunky, steek grey fur farm mink, Miss Minkie, and one talking magpie, Miss Maggie, who both thrive on LUMPS too. From the land of Frettchen~vergnuegen, this is Edward . . . out. (That's a little bit of ham radio talk, in case you didn't know.) Nota bene. Still waiting for a clear definition of the simplest difference between "training" and "domestication." Offers, anybody? [Posted in FML issue 2717]