Debbie wrote "Poofing" >Ok, how many times has your ferret poofed in 2 1/2 days? Daisy is going >on 4 times, me oh my our noses. She is about 8 months old now. Debbie! There is hope ! We opted not to have our little Ruby descented. We were told (by people we trusted and respected) that ferrets' spray wasn't too bad, didn't linger too long and that they only sprayed if afraid or excited. Up 'til Ruby was about 6 months old all was fine with our little gem. Then one day daddy made the mistake of playfully tossing her in the air and catching her. WOW ----- What was that smell ! Our little precious had sprayed her first spray. Again we were assured it's worst the first time. "More well aged." So here came the month of sprays. Ferrets only spray when afraid or excited, right? OK, you tell me how to keep a spoiled 6 month old ferret from becoming EXCITED! Every morning I got: "Hey, look, mom's up <Phhht>" Worse yet, she'd sleep in a pile with our other 7 ferrets and if she was having a real good dream.....you got it.......phhht. They'd all smell! Well, I was convinced I'd been lied to. An evil ferret conspiracy. Yes, she sprayed A LOT, and yes, it smelled awful...every time. Then I was promised: "some ferrets go through a "spray phase", she'll grow out of it." Yeah, sure. Like I'd believe anything now that I was living with this little stink bomb. But I must say the "spray phase" seems to be over. (Do I dare hope! <g>) It only lasted about a month and we don't even have to be too afraid to take her out in public anymore. (But just to be safe, we still tell people to think calm, quiet thoughts while holding Ruby!) [Posted in FML issue 2878]