Mizombie, Ferrets are cool... although I will dispute the claim that they are as smart as cats. (Both species can readily beat dogs.) There are many of them here in the SF Bay Area. I was amused by one which tried to pretzel itself in my hands: incredible flexibility. I've also handled hedgehogs. Equally neat, but a bit weirder. One thing you must remember, though, is that in many parts of the US, including here, these animals are illegal to own as pets, and so vast numbers of people are totally unfamiliar with them except as cartoon critters. Carolly