Our Ferrety background

We are Clive & Suzanne Slade, living in Sevenoaks, Kent. With an obvious passion for Ferrets.

We initially met through work, but the company folded, and we went our separate ways. By luck, we met again at a second employer, and again went our separate ways. After a series of our paths joining and separating, we became good friends.

By the time we decided to live together, Suz already had 3 ferrets, Badger, Bodger, and Willow, and Clive had 2, Tigger and Buffy. After getting them all to live together, we decided that it would be nice to have some “Our” ferrets, rather than the current “His and Hers”. We decided to get one more, to make the numbers up to an even 6.

After a trip to the RSPCA for the “one” ferret, we somehow found 3, to come and live with us – This is known as “Ferret maths”. Unfortunately, Bodger, one of Suz‘s ferrets passed away some time after, so We were now back to an odd number.

A couple of months after Bodger crossed the bridge, we got an 8 week old Kit, who was born on Clive‘s birthday. The same day, we were called out to collect a ferret “playing with the traffic” in Ashford (Kent), Drifter as he became known, was originally going to be re-homed, but he had other ideas and set to work on us, worming his way into our hearts. One day, while doing some Ferret PR at a village show, One of the guys also there helping, had a ferret who was pining away after it‘s cage mate had recently died. Drifter moved in with this ferret and set to work cheering her up. By the end of the weekend, they were inseparable, so we decided to let Drifter live with her.

Since then we have received further “Rescues” and several of ours have crossed the bridge. Every one has had a huge impact on our lives, and will be remembered and missed.

Two of our main interests, other than Ferrets are Camping and attending Steam Fairs. Here‘s how we mix all three, and manage to do ferret PR at the same time.

Most Steam Fairs are held over 2 or 3 day weekends. We normally hitch the Caravan to the car on a Friday night, head to the fair, and then return either late on the Sunday or Monday. This gives fairly regular nice short breaks throughout the year. You can see more about these and our other interests at www.clive-suz.co.uk

When we go away, it has turned into a ritual, which gets the ferrets very excited. Usually on a Thursday night, we bring the “Travel Cage” in, to get it ready for the journey. While we are setting it up, the ferrets all bounce around, and try to find ways to be the first to check it out. This cage is about 4 foot long, 2 foot wide, and 18 inches deep. We line it with a Fleece blanket, then hang several hammocks and fur tubes in it, as bedding. Last thing, we fill the food, water and litter tray. Then for the rest of the evening, they will try to climb up us, every time we walk past the cage, just to be the first to get in there.

Come Friday night, the fun starts, We load the ferrets from their normal “house cage”, into the “Travel Cage”. They are all excited and rush round the cage, checking each of the hammocks and other sleep places. Someone always has to be the first to eat, someone else rushes to the drinking bottle, and another heads to the loo. We then carry this cage to the back of the car. The best analogy for this is, imagine trying to carry a shallow tray full of water with out spilling it. The Ferrets are all excited, and all want to be first to see and smell everything. This results in them rushing from one end to the other, and also from one side to the other as a group, while we are manoeuvring the cage through 2 door ways, and a narrow hall. Once in the back of the car, they watch everything that is going on, as we continue to load the car, and hitch up.

Once on the road, they settle down, some sleeping, and others riding the hammocks like a champion surfer as they sway with the motion of the car, some how managing to keep their head in exactly the same place. When the Air Conditioning is on, they stuff their noses into the cool air flow from one of the rear vents, power sniffing. As the journey progresses, they take it in shifts to see what is going on. When the car slows down at a roundabout, or junction, they all check to see if we have arrived, only to go back to what ever it was they were doing, as we pull away again. Sometimes, we pull into the services for a bite to eat. This miffs them, as normally when we stop, the real excitement begins, but when we stop at the services, we come back smelling of food, which for once, they have not assisted in the eating of.

Finally we arrive, slowing right down, and gently manoeuvring the caravan and car off of the road, usually onto a very bumpy field. We see the Rally steward, and drive over to book in. As we pull up, we are quite often recognised as “the Ferret Man and Lady”, so at this point, all the windows which have a very dark tint, are lowered, and a group of people crowd round to look in the back of the car. People who know us, immediately put their hands in to the waiting monsters, because having met them several times before, they know how tame ours are, and want to show everyone else how un–afraid they are of ferrets... Yeah...

Eventually the stewards remember the driver and passenger who have become totally invisible while the Ferrets were welcomed back, and direct us to our pitch.

As we are setting the Caravan up, we leave all the windows and boot open on the car, so they can see what is going on. While doing our chores, some of the Ferrets go back to sleep for a bit longer, and others keep an eye open. We can hear snippets of conversation, and the occasional “call” which will become all too familiar over the weekend, “Ohh look, what are they?”, “Granddad used to have them, they bite”, or “Is that a ferret or a polecat?”

Finally the Caravan is level, and the important bits, like getting the kettle on, are all done. As Suz sorts the inside of the Caravan out, Clive sets up the sun shade that protects the rear window of the van, as this is where the Ferrets Cage is located in the van. This shade also doubles as a weather protection for the generator that runs the caravan air conditioning system. This was installed for the ferrets as a safety for hot weekends (Yeah, like they ever happen in England).

Finally with everything ship shape, Clive goes to the car, and opens the travel cage to transfer the monsters to their Cage in the caravan. This can be hazardous, as when you open the cage, loads of heads all want to be first again. For safety, we normally only deal with 2 at a time, so trying to get 2 out, and keep the rest in, when they all want to be out, can be entertaining. Sometimes, we have to give up, and just grab a handful. Once at the Caravan door, Suz takes them and puts them in the cage, and the whole process of having to be first starts again. This is handy, as it tends to distract them, while we put the remainder in.

The caravan Cage is built along the back of the Caravan, where the Bunk bed would normally be. The cage has a big window right behind it, which can open wide, so on cooler days, we use this, or it also has reflective sun blinds, which can be pulled down, and then we use the Air Conditioning. The cage also has a PetsMate running water fountain, which we can put mini Ice blocks in, to make sure they have cool fresh water.

Finally it feels like we have arrived for the weekend, and settle down to drink our tea.

Now it time to explore, so we each take a lead, and the sound of the bells on the collars, wake up several of the ferrets. We feel bad about this, as there is always 4 or 5 that all want to go out, but for their safety, we will only ever take 1 or 2 at a time, so we have to disappoint the ones who are not coming. After putting their collars on, which they are all very good at letting us do, as they really want to go for the walk, we attach an extending lead to each, and head on out.

The first rule of walking a ferret at these fairs is to watch each others backs for dogs. The ferrets are wearing Hagen “H” type harnesses, which attach around not only their necks, but more importantly around their chests. This means that you can safely pick them up by the harness with out hurting them. Unfortunately we have to be very careful of dogs when at these shows, as lot of dog owners do not realise that their dog would probably kill a ferret. A lot of dogs have been bred over the ages as Rat catchers, and most can not tell the difference between a rat and a ferret. It never ceases to amaze me, how many dog owners will in one breath say that they have never seen a ferret up close before, and then tell us, not to worry about their dog, as it wouldn't hurt it. We never take the chance, and if one of us spots a dog heading in our direction, tells the other, and we get ready to lift the ferrets out of the way. Even then, you need to be extra careful as we have had a dog jump up at us, to get to the ferret.

As we said, because of the amount of fairs we go to, several people recognise the Ferrets from previous events. It's quite an Eye opener, that if we walk around with out a Ferret, we are just part of the crowd, but as soon as we have a ferret, we are memorable. Walking with ferrets on the first night is very slow, old faces all want to catch up, the Ferrets need to inspect every smell, and we have just finished a long week. If we have not already eaten, we head to Ferret heaven, which is any food van. There are all sorts of bits around the van, including bits of Sausage, Burger, bread, and their favourite, chips, all over the floor. After finishing our food usually with the help of the monsters, we carry on looking around.

Once we are back at the caravan, the 2 “favourite” ferrets, as far as they are concerned, can't wait to go into the cage and Brag. We then let the others out for some fun in the caravan, which has a massive amount of nooks and crannies to inspect. They go nuts, and bounce off of everything. After only about an hour, they are totally worn out, and we put them back to bed.

Over the course of the weekend, we take them out in turns, and spend a lot of time talking to people. The thing with walking ferrets, is you can‘t be shy, as people are continually pointing, shouting and talking about you, before some gather up the courage to ask questions and maybe even a cuddle. There is a real sense of achievement when a burly fellow says “oh no no yuck” and then ends up with a ferret curled up in his sleeve whilst still trying to balance his food or drink in the other hand, but not disturbing the ferret. It is amazing how many people's only idea of ferrets is based purely on a TV interview between Richard Whiteley and a Yorkshire farmer. There is a wonderful feeling of achievement about showing these people how intelligent they are, and how sweet they can be.

Another thing that is very interesting, is the way ferrets behave around people with disabilities. Even when they are most excited, they seem to manage to know, and make time to behave for these people to have a cuddle.

Finally the weekend is over, and we pack up and head back home. Again the Ferrets ride the Hammocks, and watch everything, but struggle to keep their eyes open, as they have had a very tiring weekend, being awake for much more time than usual.

Once at home we sort everything out, and eventually let them out for play. They go mad, running all around the house, moving toys, and play fighting. Again after only about an hour, they are all tired out, and have curled up asleep all around the house.