HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: urf@icl.se (Urban F)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: My Ferret
Date: 28 Dec 92 14:00:29 GMT
Organization: None. On USENET I speak only for myself.
X-Alt.reply-Address: n.g.u.fredriksson.swe2001@oasis.icl.co.uk

faith@amiganet.chi.il.us (Fred Drummand) writes:



>I Have Some Questions For Other Ferret Owners.

>1) I Am Having a terrible time getting her to be litter trained any tips?

- Don't use violence
- Be very quick to displeasure or encouragement, whichever is
  required
- Clean the wrong places carefully, since if they smell of
  having been used, that's a sign to her that it's OK to
  use them

>2) She Loves Any Cereal That is in Milk.

- Milk is harmful: Causes diarreah
- Cereal isn't dangerous in itself, but is has no nourishment
  a ferret can use and thus takes up valuable space in the
  stomach better used for real food; If there's sugar on them
  it's even worse >> Caries and overweight

>4) When I Take her in the car, she hides under neith the seat. I Take it she is
>scared.  Any Way I Can "Car Train" her?

You shouldn't let her go freely in the car, as there are probably 
other spaces she can disappear into (but you're probably smart 
enough to have her on a lead). A ferret should be curious and want
to look out, but as they feel safer with a roof I'd try a transport
cage with a solid roof and maybe three solid walls too.

>5) Is It Harmful to them to take them out in cold weather? I Live in Chicago,
>and love to take her out in the summer, but she doesnt see the sun during the
>winter?!

Lucky you living so far south you see the sun in the winter.
They are supposed to take cold just as well as dogs, but some seem
to think that they should live outdoors year round to adapt
to it. Long since we had a cold winter in Stockholm, so I haven't
had to think much about it.

>6) She hates Baths!  Any Way to make her like them More? Cold Water? Hot?
>hehe..I Have been using Luke warm-Cold water.  

Play with her. Don't use shampoo and see if that's what she doesn't
like. The water should not be hot, she probably likes it cooler than
you do.
--
 Urban Fredriksson  urf@icl.se
From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: bunny questions
Summary: Most buns will eat about all the veggies you can give.
Date: 28 Dec 92 20:35:46 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <1992Dec24.113744.381@news.cs.indiana.edu>, alyoung@cherry.ucs.indiana.edu (Amy Young Leith) writes:
> In article <22985@drutx.ATT.COM> njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ) writes:

> 1/2 inch of carrot???  Whew, I'm doing something wrong.  Dink will eat
> a WHOLE carrot in a flash if given to him.  

Most rabbits will--just like kids won't stop with one candy bar if given
the choice.  Granted, 1/2-inch is probably not the max a bun could have
and still stay healthy, but the point should be carefully
considered--it's easy to give a bunny too much "empty" food that can
lead to malnutrition.

> I know this sounds funny, but Dink eats EVERYTHING.  He eats paper, he
> eats fabric, yarn, carpet, cardboard, cords, books, you name it.

No, it doesn't sound funny, it sounds bunny!  :-)  Many buns are like this,
although it's more common in young bunnies and tends to fade somewhat as
they grow older.  But do be careful--if he is acutally EATING these
things, as opposed to shredding them, he could easily develop a blockage.
Rabbits seem to grow more prone to these blockages as they grow older, so
even if he's never been blocked before, be very watchful.

> He loves junk food (which we try to not do because of the weight thing,
> [and] veggies: carrots, brocolli, radishes, lettuce.

Again, realize that all of these things take up space in his stomach but
fail to provide good nutrition.  At some point, you may discover a bunny
who is fat, but malnurished--and believe me, a malnurished bunny is a sad
thing to see.  They are prone to all sorts of infections and illnesses
and such things and often die from these complications since their immune
systems aren't in good shape either.

I'm not saying your bun is malnurished at this point, but as he grows
older, his need for good nutrition increases, so his potential for
becoming malnurished also increases.  You might gradually reduce the
amount of veggies and junk food until you get him accustomed to
significantly lesser amounts.

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl
From: milligan@carson.u.washington.edu (Paula Milligan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies, or at least interesting
Date: 28 Dec 1992 19:14:31 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: carson.u.washington.edu
Summary: Two bunny stories

This story involves a bunny I had some years ago (unfortunately, my "ex" kept
him).  His name was Sputnik.  I'm not sure that it's a *funny* story, but
it really illustrates, to me, the capability for rabbits to interact and 
comprehend.

We lived in a huge house (shared by 6 college folks) with a sweeping porch.
During the summer, I would take Sputnik out to the porch while I would read
or just enjoy the afternoons, or whatever.  He just loved going outside!
When I was ready to go in, I would stand up and say, "Come on, Sputnik,
it's time to go in," in that tone one uses when speaking to an animal 
sometimes.  Well, on this particular day, I was in a hurry, and I didn't 
really want to go out on the porch with him, but he was standing by the
door looking so hopeful, that I just couldn't refuse.  So, I went out
and sat for a few minutes, although uneasily, because I didn't want to 
be late for whatever it is I was doing.  After only a few minutes (15 or
so) I said in a very normal, even understated tone, "well, I guess it's 
time to go in now."  To my amazement, Sputnik THUMPED!  I tried it again,
making sure to only use a very low-key, normal tone of voice, and he 
thumped again!  We went through this about six times, and by then I was
sure that it was his way of communicating frustration, disappointment and
a general sense of his feeling of being a poor, persecuted bunny who wasn't
being allowed to play when he wanted to.  Since then, I always spoke to 
him like a person, because he had certainly proved he could comprehend
a lot!

The next item also involves Sputnik (he was a mini-lop).  We kept him in the   
living room, and when we weren't there to supervise him, he had a pen of
about 6'x 9', enclosed by chicken wire.  I was about to leave, so he was
in his pen, and one of my roomies was eating tortilla chips. Usually, 
Sputnik was offered a tortilla chip when this particular guy was eating
them, but on this day, HE was in a hurry.  

Anyway, Derek was eating chips and Sputnik was standing at his chicken wire
expectantly.  When Derek ignored him, he thumped twice to let us know he
didn't think it was very polite to eat in front of him.

I sure liked Sputnik, and miss him quite a lot, but now I have Rocky and
Betsy, who are both very sweet--Rocky is getting more and more mischeivous
all the time (he's 5 mos. old) and Betsy is still very shy and quiet--
they haven't really done anything I would consider falling into the funny
bunnies group.  Well, maybe a couple of things, but I'll tell you about them
some other time.

--Paula


Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: myhui@bnr.ca (Michael Hui)
Subject: Re: Sneezing Darwin
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Ottawa, Canada
Distribution: rec
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 04:39:16 GMT

In article <1992Dec22.120929.16604@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> wd5j@vax5.cit.cornell.edu writes:
>Darwin's 6 months old now (a senior buck!!).

Big Bunny in Vancouver, B.C., is now a nine years old Dutch dwarf.
And he still runs five big circles at a time!

                        Long Live The Bun

Happy holidays, all!
-- 
Michael MY Hui  ~{~}  myhui@bnr.ca  Ottawa Canada
From: hartman@oin.cis.udel.edu (Nancy Hartman)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Skunks as Pets - Old Postings?
Date: 31 Dec 1992 14:31:37 GMT
Organization: University of Delaware, Newark
NNTP-Posting-Host: oin.cis.udel.edu

In article <C03rBw.C3J.1@cs.cmu.edu> tmohler+@cs.cmu.edu (Tim Mohler) writes:
>
>I recently acquired a ferret for a friend, and have
>fallen semi in love with them. However, I think ferrets
>are a bit drab-looking.

You should go to a ferret show, you would be amazed at the variety of
colors and markings.  

>I found out skunks are at least related to ferrets, and
>thus would possibly make good pets.

First you should know that skunks are illegal in most states (including
PA).  You would have to contact a breeder and have it shipped to an
address in a legal state.  So it's a bit tricky to get one, to begin
with.  (you get them from furriers, they are very difficult to breed,
so you most likely won't find a small breeder anywhere)

They do make very good pets, for certain people.  They are very 
destructive, their claws are made to tear apart logs in the wild, they
will most likely destroy your furniture.  You have to get them VERY
young in order for them to bond with you.  You *MUST* get them altered
as young as possible or they get MEAN.

Their personalities are really nothing like a ferret's.  Ferrets are
very playful and energetic.  Skunks are sort of laid back, and not
very playful.  They make much better lap pets.  They're sluggish and
slow.

They are litter trainable.  

They need a low-protein diet (opposite of a ferret!), with lots of 
fresh fruits and veggies.  

You can *NEVER* strike a skunk.  They never forgive or forget, so 
training them can be difficult.  (no, I don't condone beating animals
into submission, but sometimes a well-timed swat is the only way to
get your point across)

They get to be significantly larger than a ferret.

Call Skunks as Pets, Inc. for their booklet on skunk care:

Jane Bone - (404) 366-7093
or Shelor Brumbeloe (404) 793-0108
or Mary Hihn (803) 726-4236

(if none of those are still good, let me know, there are several 
other's listed -- all in SC and GA)

Once you get your booklet, and find a skunk friendly vet, let me know,
I do have a phone number for a breeder who will ship skunks but don't
expect me to give this to you for at least several weeks.  Skunks are
unusual enough that I want you to do some research before getting one.
I will not encourage an impulse purchase.

BTW, I don't know which states are legal.  I know DE is and I'm pretty
sure SC and GA are, since there are several published addresses for the
skunk club in those states.  I don't think there are many others.  Ask
the people listed above when you call for the booklet.

- Nancy


-- 
Nancy Hartman					CIS graduate student
hartman@udel.edu				U. of Delaware
        President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club
           Owner of Percy, Bree, & Popcorn, the ferrets
From: mooring@rikki.Eng.Sun.COM (Linda Mooring)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: Ferret (well, ermine) X-mas Cards
Date: 21 Dec 1992 18:05:53 GMT
Organization: Sun
NNTP-Posting-Host: rikki

In article <1992Dec20.054443.26998@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> swoodcoc@nyx.cs.du.edu (Steven Markus Woodcock) writes:
>   Just thought that my fellow ferret fanatics out there might like to know
>that my wife and I found some Christmas cards with ferrets on them.  Well,
>actually it's an ermine, but close enough for us!  The cards depict a 
>winter scene with a dragon and various other forest animals iceskating--
>one of the critters watching the whole thing is an ermine.  The title of
>the picture is "Down on the Old Mill Pond"; the cards themselves are put
>out by Dragon Tales.  We found them at a mostly New Age shop that carries
>a large variety of 'small publisher' cards.
>
>   Merry Christmas all!
>
>
>Steve & Colleen
>Proudly Owned by Missy, Newone, Zebulon Pike, Minx, Slinky, and Puck
>
>
The Nature Company and REI have a beautiful card featuring a photo of
a long-tailed
weasel in its winter fur.  It's sitting up and is framed beautifully by
some branches of a pine tree.  The card is printed on recycled paper, too.

I sent out this card and kept one for myself - I put it in a picture frame
because its pink nose reminds me so much of the albino ferret I lost a few
months ago.

Linda
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura)
Subject: Re: Funny bunnies
Organization: The World
	<1992Dec20.153808.1@stsci.edu>
	<1992Dec21.004053.3716jp@tygra.Michigan.COM>
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:47:01 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.004053.3716jp@tygra.Michigan.COM> jp@tygra.Michigan.COM (John Palmer) writes:
> 
> Yes - I too sent in $25 to the HRS and got two issues of their news
> letter and haven't receive a renewal notice or anything.

I've never received a renewal notice.  I just try to remember to
send in a donation each year.  

On the other hand, I believe they keep you on their mailing list
indefinitely, so it's kind of an "honesty system" subscription.
-- 
- Ron Mura, Boston, Massachusetts              rmura@world.std.com

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca (John Paul Morrison)
Subject: bunnies and hairballs?
Organization: University of BC, Electrical Engineering
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 03:30:39 GMT


What are the symptoms (so one can be prepared) ?
can tell-tale symptoms be confused with other ailments?

I've learned here that papaya tablets with amylase, and hay can prevent them.
what about treatments? (I assume surgery is one. Don't people give cats
vaseline (?) to get rid of hairballs. will that work for rabbits.

-- 
__________________________________________________________________________
 John Paul Morrison                     |  
 University of British Columbia, Canada |  
 Electrical Engineering                 |   .sig file without a cause
 jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca              VE7JPM |  
________________________________________|_________________________________
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: pshuang@athena.mit.edu (Ping-Shun Huang)
Subject: Re: House Rabbit Handbook.
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
	<1992Dec20.015530.2095@bmerh85.bnr.ca>
	<PSHUANG.92Dec20194415@ninja.mit.edu>
	<1992Dec21.014459.7221@bmerh85.bnr.ca>
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 14:39:23 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.014459.7221@bmerh85.bnr.ca> myhui@bnr.ca (Michael Hui) writes:

 > But using video compression (JPEG or fractal-based) should help a bit.
 > Haven't you noticed how gobs of bandwidth are utilized (I almost said
 > wasted, but I should be diplomatic ...) in the newsgroups with the
 > word "picture" in them? I believe pet keepers as fervently devoted to
 > their pets as I've seen in this forum would love to trade pictures on
 > how "sound asleep" their beloved Buns can get when all's calm and easy.

Well, I won't bother trying to be diplomatic. I do think that most of
the binary groups that carry pictures are a waste of bandwidth. I think
most of us here are indeed devoted to our pets, but few are so overboard
in their fervor as you. I have some wonderful pictures of my rabbit,
which I've recently gotten around to scrapbook, but: (a) for the most
part, there won't be any personal meaning in the photos for anybody else
but me; (b) without personal meaning, the photos are decent but don't
compare to commercial photography of rabbits that you can find in any
number of publications, including HRS's.

So what's the point?

[FYI: video compression has specific meaning, and you've misused the
term in the above paragraph. MPEG (not JPEG), QuickTime from Apple, DVI
from Intel, are all examples of video compression formats.]

--
Ping Huang (INTERNET: pshuang@athena.mit.edu), probably speaking for himself
From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Purina Rabbit Chow and wood-chip litter (was Re: bunny questions)
Summary: Cedar chips should never be used with small animals!!!
Date: 28 Dec 92 20:20:07 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <1992Dec24.091133.958@ee.ubc.ca>, jmorriso@ee.ubc.ca (John Paul Morrison) writes:

> Purina, Country Green Rabbit Chow.
> ...Then they give a guaranteed analysis (maybe someone who knows can
> say whether this is good)
> 
> Crude protein:  minimum 15%
>       fat       minimum  2%
>       fiber     maximum 18%

The House Rabbit Handbook recommends 14-18% protein and 16-20% crude
fiber.  Older rabbits should have relatively lower protein, so the 15%
sounds very good for them and adequate for younger rabbits.  The 2% fat
is excellent--most of the major brands seem to have more.  And of
course, the fiber falls in the middle of the recommended range.

On the negative side, it doesn't mention any of the probiotics (enzymes
that digest protein and starches, including hairballs).  Or did you just
not include this?

>                                             ...We use a paper based litter,
> instead of regular cat litter. The paper/pulp has no dust and is soft; if
> we use regular cat litter, the rabbit feels like chalk if you pick him up.

You're referring to clay litter and I wholeheartedly agree with you.

> (cedar chips are even more expensive, and they are really messy with an
> open wire cage. Cedar doesn't absorb much water either)

Most of all, cedar chips (in fact, any wood chips) emit phenols that
cause liver damage if the phenols can collect in the air the rabbit
breathes.  (I suspect the same is true of hamsters, mice, and all the
other small animals for whom wood chips are sold!)

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: blaraway@geppetto.encore.com (Brad Laraway)
Subject: ferret/books
Keywords: books
Organization: Encore Computer Corp.
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:30:07 GMT

	Happy holidays to one and all.  I am looking
	for a good book on ferret disease?  Something
	that has symtoms and possible cures.  I don't
	realy want a medical journal but will buy it 
	if that's the only book available. 

	My ferrets are currently very healthy but they
	are also very young.  Oldest is one years old
	youngest is 4 mounths old.  I would like to
	be able to try and catch any future ilness early
	enough to make the chance of survival greater.

	Thanks

	Brad, Sebastian and Mako.
	 
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: dapetersen@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Toothpick (-:))
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Bunny Antics
Date: 27 Dec 92 06:07:16 GMT
Organization: Petersen's Homestead

Funny Bun Stories:

Tux is a bit unusual in that she doesn't livein a cage with me.  She has the
runof the whole kitchen when I'm gone - a kitchen with doors.  When I first
got her, she wasn't quite used to the linoleum.  Talk aboutfunny!

She;s run and not time her stops right and crash right into the cupboards!

Well, a week or so ago, I discovered that she;s learned slide technique!
I was sweeping the kitchen and had collected evreything into a tidy
pile when out of NOWHERE comes the bun - FULL SPEED!  Now, she COULD have
gone anywhere in the kitchen, but no...not Tuxie.

She headed straight for the dirt pile, did a true home run slide,
and sat there looking up at me as if to say, "never clean when you could
be petting you bun!"

I was dumbfounded, but had to laugh.

It was also funny watching her learn to go upstairs.  She has the run of the
condo, but it took the full two months for her to learn to climb to the top.
When she finally got there, she ran around a bit, then went to the top and just
hung her head over, ears forward like snoopy.  Cracked me up.  It took
about, oh, 4 hours for her to figure out it was safe to come down...(they are
open backed stairs,so she was nervous).

***
Toothpick
In RL - Debbie Petersen
dapetersen@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
216-467-3055
***
-- 
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: palmj@vccnw02.its.rpi.edu (Jyri L. Palm)
Subject: What's wrong with my ferrets?
Keywords: ferret
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 17:47:38 GMT

What's wrong with my ferrets?  They haven't missed the litter box for a
number of weeks now.  It used to be that they would poop very close to their
sleeping place, instead of trekking an extra 2 feet to the litter box.

Now, they sleep in another room altogether, in my top dresser drawer, wake
up, climb down, and walk (or run) to an entirely different room to poop
in the litter box.  How can this be happening?

Well, I must confess, that I did, for the first time very thoroughly
clean out all the litter boxes, washed them and refilled them with a 
deep layer of litter.  (For the first time in several weeks that is).

But I just don't understand ferret psychology.  If we have a litter box 
where we can't miss it upon waking, we poop beside it or near it.  If
we are far away, where it would be easier to poop in a random corner, we
instead hunt down a box.  What gives??

SOME QUESTIONS:

Does anyone else have weird ferrets like mine who refuse to eat anything
but their normal food.  No matter what, they will not even touch or 
taste people food (except for coke - which is highly regulated).  One of
them will scratch a banana skin and bite it, but refuse to eat the 
banana inside.

And are ferrets always so "independant" not wanting to be held.  Or it is
a natural "confined space" reaction to move forward when petted?

Well, that's it.  One year later we might just have the poop-thing down.
Here's hoping it sticks...

Jyri

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: bmheap@rodan.acs.syr.edu ()
Subject: Pregnant Mouse Explodes?
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 14:25:36 EST

I have a variety of colored mice, and have just begun breeding
them.  The first mouse to become pregnant, Bobble, is getting
close to birthing day, and I sure hope she makes it.  She has
expanded to at least twice her ususal size and she looks like
she is about to burst.  I hope my fears are irrational -- but 
I bet she's going to have a large litter for sure.

I'll keep you all updated.



Bron
(Twice the mice are twice as nice.)

Newsgroups: rec.pets,rec.pets.dogs
From: julieann@cmhcsys.cmhcsys.com (Julieann Fitchwell)
Subject: Boston Terrier Stud Needed
Organization: CMHC Systems
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 21:32:50 GMT
Followup-To: rec.pets.dogs
Keywords: Boston Terrier

My three year old female Boston will be coming into season sometime this
Spring and I would like to breed her with a high quality stud. She is
registered (AKC) and is pet quality. 

I am of course interested in good confirmation and markings. Especially that
the male have a full white collar, wide chest, and white on his front legs.
Personality is also very important because most of the interest in this litter
is for pets, not show dogs.

For those interested, this female weighs about 13 lbs, has a full white collar,
and four white feet. She also has a screw tail and a great personality (IMHO). 

Please no flames about breeding vs. animal shelters etc. I have strong feelings
about this too, and besides that's not the point. :)

Thanks.

JulieAnn
Little 'G' Breeders, Columbus, Ohio.
-- 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|                 JulieAnn C. Fitchwell                  |
| CMHC Systems, Inc. 5500 Frantz Road Dublin, Ohio 43017 |
|             INTERNET: julieann@cmhcsys.com             |
From: S_KOEHLER@iravcl.ira.uka.de (|S| Tobias Koehler)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: "Public-Domain" lions
Date: 21 Dec 1992 13:33:07 GMT
Organization: University of Karlsruhe (FRG) - Informatik Rechnerabt.
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: irav1.ira.uka.de
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.23

Hi there,
 
Is anyone interested in getting a 12-week-old lioness for free?
If so, please contact the Zoo at Krefeld/Germany. (I don't know
if she is still there, but you can still try).

Happy Christmas
 
Tobias