LAUNDRY DAY

Last weekend, I had decided it was time all the
bedding for the kids needed to be washed. This
is a semi annual event. These guys REALLY hate
it when I do the laundry. They like things just the
way they are. Lil was the only one that seemed to
think it was a fun time. I did it one house at a
time, starting with the 2 boys, JJ and Austin. I
started removing the dirty stuff, hammocks, sleep
sacks, and so on. Now the boys were occupying the
place at the time. It was Lil and Starlights time
out. Austin did not want me doing this, he, to my
surprise, very uncharacteristically nipped at my
hand a few times during the process. Austin never
does this! JJ will do it in the excitement of play,
but Austin seems so mild mannered. I got the job
done despite the protests.

As I pulled stuff out I dumped it in a pile on the
floor. This led to lot's of entertainment for Lil.
She had been asleep in the carrier in the corner
but came out when she heard me rustling around.
All this stuff on the floor to crawl through!
And it smelled like all those other guys she
wished she could get at to show them who is
the boss! She was crawling around frantically
doing the cluck sound ferrets do when they get
really excited. Her tail was totally bottle
brushed too. Lil spent the whole time I was
in there rummaging through all the dirty
laundry. I had to give her a foamy fry to
distract her so I could pick it up and take
it to the washing machine. Of course everyone
saw me do that and it meant treats all around.
I am such a soft touch.

Boston Children's Museum and other things.

Hi, It's been a good long time since I wrote anything, so I figured

I ought to. Alicia needs more material for the news letter anyhow.
On September 15th, JJ, Austin, and I went into the Boston Children's
Museum for a Critter Day. We had a little section of the museum to
set up a play pen and introduce the ferrets to any kids that wanted
to meet them. We were there with some of the shelter folks, Alicia
and Dino, Susan and Skyla were there too. As well as some of the
shelter occupants. I for the life of me can't remember which one's,
but JJ and Austin were there, so that is all that matters!

It was a very fun day, we met quite a few people and introduced them
to the ferrets. JJ and Austin also got to get re-aquainted with some
of their pals from when they lived in the shelter. They enjoyed
themselves as much as we humans did. All that unsolicited attention!
Finally they got the limelight they deserved. On the drive into Boston,
My 2 boys were incredibly antsy, I took them in the detachable top
floor of their condo. I had it all neatly arranged. Corner litterbox
in place, food here, bed there, mat under all. By the time we got
there, the litter box and food had been spilled a couple of times,
and the bedding was everywhere! So they were full of energy for
the day. The trip home was the complete opposite. Once we got out
of the building and into the car and traveling, they settled
right down and went straight into what I like to call the ferret
sleep of the dead. In this state it takes an atomic bomb blast
to get a ferret to stir. Even when you get their attention, they
will open up one eye and say, what? The first time I encountered
this phenomenon was with my first ferret, Mishka. I cam home
found her curled up and unresponsive and was really sad because
I thought she had passed on. When they get like that, they are
limp as a wet noodle, and will usually have a tongue hanging out.
Then I realized, wait a minute! She's very warm, and breathing!
I was tapping her on the forehead for a minute or so before
she stirred and opened one eye with the attitude of, what
do you want?

Other things going on at home, I have instituted some tooth
brushing. Starting with Starlight and Ozzie who had some
gross things growin in their mouths. Now Starlight is a tiny
little thing, we just weighed her last week at the vets and
she was at 640 grams, which is a good weight for her. I bought
a couple of children's ultra soft tooth brushes and some kitten
tooth paste and started out. When I scruff her, she can make
it with her neck, so there is nothing to grab. I will eventually
get a hold on her. But when I start brushing, then the fun begins!
She will thrash about like a little devil. I can't keep a grip
on her. She spins her bottom around like a top. She spends
most of the day sleeping and resting, she is almost 8, so
she has plenty of energy to spare. I will eventually get the
deed done, but we are both usually covered in tooth paste!
After that it's Ozzie's turn. He lets me scruff him and brush
away for as long as I want. Go figure. This is the one that
Alicia sent with me because he chomped on too many people.
He is fine with me. Hasn't tried in a while. I think he is
content. Well, that is all for now. Life goes on, there
are always plenty of N-bones and other treats, who could
ask for more?