Lessons from the Ferrets

I have been traveling for a number of days in the company of my brother, his wife, my puppy [Yodi],---and six Ferrets.

The Ferrets live most of the day in two "Ferret condo" cages that sit on a buffet counter directly across from the chair I occupy. For an hour or more a day, they are let loose in the bedroom/bathroom area of the motorhome.And that is when the fun begins.

They run around, climb, crawl into drawers, and have more fun than a barrel of monkey's on steroids! Once playtime is over, they fall asleep curled up toether as one big family. They sleep away much of a day--getting up to eat and use their litter box.

The Ferrets tolerate the puppy--putting him in his proper place if he gets too close. Me--they also tolerate. But they enjoy the Ferret treats I give them--and seem to understand the converstions I start.

Watching them day after day--living a carefree Ferret's existence is educational. With all the turmoil surrounding my brothers business and travel, with all the horrible news reports blasting from the radio and tv, with all the climate changes we experience traveling,--with all that--they never cease having fun and enjoying the day.

I can tell a contented Ferret when I see one. Maybe that is what pets are for. To teach us to be contented and happy. And remind us how easy it is to live a carefree existence. Long naps, punctuated with food and exercise, capped off by a treat from a friend, playing until your drop dead tired--and never complaining. All within the confines of a cage and a backroom for exercise.And-- while all around them exist the complicated lives of their human companions. It is the same trip--just viewed differently by the Ferrets.

Yodi seems to be picking up some of their habits. He likes his treats--and long naps too. Plus he has learned to play until he drops. We humans have a lot to learn.