Ophelia wrote:
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message ...
> > Ophelia wrote:
> >>
> >> "Gary" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > Ophelia wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Would you not consider getting a cat?
> >> >
> >> > I've had cats all my life until the ferret introduction. I just like
> >> > their personalities much better. Just sad that they don't last very
> >> > long.
> >>
> >> Yes it must be very hard. It depends if you feel you need a pet until
> >> you
> >> retire. A cat just might fit the bill??
> >
> > No. I don't *need* some animal but I do like them all. As far as
> > companions, I've learned that ferrets are the coolest for me. I so
> > remember when 11 years ago or so, daughter needed to move back in with
> > me for a bit and she had ferrets. I knew nothing about them at the
> > time and I even resisted her bringing in new pets.
> >
> > Long story short, once she moved in, she started going off all the
> > time and neglecting the ferrets. Gary don't play that so in her
> > absence I started taking care of them and got to know them. When she
> > moved out a year later, she had to find a home for the ferrets. I told
> > her, "NO. These are MY ferrets now. They stay." I've been hooked ever
> > since. :-D
>
> ) I guess there is no turning for you now <g>
>
> Tell me Gary, what is their average life span?

Funny too, when the first ferrets arrived here, I still had my cat,
Mr.Kitty. He was old and just liked to lay on HIS chair in my
bedroom. Well, the very playful ferrets discovered him on that chair
in no time and they would constantly get up on the chair and climb all
over the cat.

He didn't want to play but he accepted them and just let them climb
all over him. heheh It was funny. He had his ears down and looked
at me like, "Please get these things off of me." Nice that he
accepted them though..


average life span for ferrets: Pretty much 7 years without genetic
problems but many do have those problems.

Mia is my 4th and getting close to be the longest lasting one but she
really has slowed down. Only likes to eat, poop and sleep next to me
now. Very little play time these days.
She's now 2 months away from turning age 7.

If you look them up, the stated lifespan is too optimistic. Basically,
they live from 5-7 years.