Saturday, September 6, 2008

Serious Power Nap


Duncan McFerret asleep on the blanket., originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

Who couldn't benefit from a good afternoon power nap? I know I sure could. Of course I rarely have the time and when I do, my mind is usually racing and I can't manage to drift off, despite being exhausted. Well this little guy could teach us a thing or two about the power nap. He plays HARD, and he sleeps more than 12 hours a day. When he's out, he's out! He fell asleep on a blanket in the family room. He was so oblivious, that I was able to set up my tripod and macro lens without him even moving. That... Is a power nap.

Bath Time For Duncan


TEL_1499, originally uploaded by Thomas Lester.

We are still working out "cage dynamics" with Mr. Duncan McFerret. Until today, Duncan has had a fairly basic cage set up. 3 levels. litter box on the bottom (which he hasn't been using and instead just goes in the bottom of the cage), and hammock hanging from the top, which he likes. But that's about it. Well.... today, we've tried some new things. One, I put an old sweatshirt on the top level and slid the arms through the cage to tie it into place. On the bottom floor, we've added a loosely piled towel, a bed from "Build a Bear", and one of Heather's old sweaters. The idea is to fill the bottom of the cage with sleeping areas and he'll have no choice but to use his litter box for the potty. So far, so good! He also LOVES the build a bear bed.

So... with him walking on the bottom of the cage where he's used the restroom... he was due for a bath. You normally only bath ferrets once every month or so or they get stinky (I know.... counter intuitive isn't it? Wash away their oils from their skin, their glands go into overtime to make more... then they stink more. Wash them less... less oil production... less stinky). The kids filled the bottom of our garden tub with water, just deep enough for him to play in, but still get his feet on the bottom. I'm not sure if he liked it or not. I think he needs a few more times in the water for him to remember that he's cousin with the otter!