When we visited the only 24 h veterinary in the Stockholm area with The Swedish Ferret Society a couple of weeks ago, I realised that Natasja probably isn't well: She's often tired, has a weak rear body and usually doesn't walk as bouncy as Alison. She also gets alert when given small pieces of raisin.

So, I decided to give her extra much exercise, even if she didn't act like she wanted it. (That's the hardest part of having pets -- making decisions for them that's good in the long run but impopular in the short run.)

I needn't have worried. When carried to the woods she's not tired at all, and likes to run around. Also, she seems better at other times too.

Today, I took her across the creek and in among the woods and uncoupled the lead. For 30 min she walked around at what was for me a comfortable pace, investigating the rocks in the foundations of house ruins especially carefully.

Then, I tell her it's time to put on the lead and to take it a bit easy:
Dook-dook-dook-dook!
Zooom!!

I could have caught her if I wanted, but I can tell you I got a lot of exercise following her around the next 20 min!

I've now instituted a policy where every day at least one ferret gets some exercise for at least one hour. It's getting to take a lot of time, this living with ferrets.