I just realized that I am somewhat new to the FML. Having been on the Ferret Forum (on and off) for quite a while, I just somehow assumed that, well, I was a regular of sorts. So I thought maybe a brief intro might be in order: I currently am the servent of five ferrets, 4 horses (er, 2 are mine, 2 are friends - long story) and the cat that came with our last apartment. Joker (the cat) regularly scolds me for this or that. Mijiling was my first ferret, closely followed by Inanna, back in late '91, early 92. They eventually became best buds. In '97 they both passed away, within four weeks of each other. Sometimes it seems like it was only 7 to 9 months ago. I still miss them. Now the fur-crew consists of Ed (2.5) butterscotch boy, who had a shocking reaction to the distemper vaccine; Ralph, (2.2) the shy & big boy who had a 24 hour adventure outside the house when he was only about 5 months old; Lou, (2) the albino indiana-jones ferret - no leap too large!; Trixie (1.8) the little mink of a terror (after reading old Bob Church posts, I now *know* I was right in that nickname for her!) But she luvs her momsi-womsi!; Alice (1.8) um, not sure about her, she seems somewhat, well, slow. But loving. And very hard of hearing. The horses don't see the furits much. Last time I think my mare tried to see if they had any carrots hidden on them. the fuzzies were NOT amused. Trixie terrorizes Joker whenever she gets the chance, and that just about undoes the poor cat. I live in AZ, use DE to combat flies around the horses and insects in the house. When a baby lizard gets in, I scoop him up and set him outside where he is much safer from the ferrets. I've also raised a pigeon (but did not tame it) and was very thrilled when it finally found its wings and flew away. Now pigeons hover like vultures around horse-feeding time, eating right out of the horse's buckets. *sigh* Trish & Crew One short of a six-pack. [Posted in FML issue 2814]