Hippie has come such a long way. He’s had quite a few roles since entering our household: from stressed out shelter ferret to warrior fighter and now communicator with humans. He’s learned that good things come from humans, namely food. Specifically: CHEESE. When he first arrived, we noticed that he didn’t like the same treats our other ferrets craved: raisins. He just wouldn’t eat anything but his kitten chow and the Marshall ferret food.
But he was very persistent about getting into the fridge. Come to find out, he was after our cheese supply. The cheaper the cheese, the better. His favorite is American singles. A few weeks after that, he learned that begging will bring him cheese. Yes, it’s our fault we have begging ferrets, just can’t help it.
Now Hippie keeps tabs on our every move, knowing just when to come bounding into the kitchen after us. He knows the sound of the fridge door opening, just as Bun and Pig know the sound of the spoon against a bowl when we’re eating cereal (soup is such a disapointment!).
Because Hippie is larger than life in so many ways, (just look at him), he does everything to the max, including begging. We call this the “Strong Beg”. It’s so intense you can feel his beady eyes boring a hole right through you. He’s trying to look you directly in the eye and comminucate: Cheese Please!
The Strong Beg
Cheese Please!
Macchi's Strong Beg
Bun's Beg Isn't Very Strong
I get the strong beg, but usually it’s because Zeppo wants to be held. If I continue to ignore him, it progresses into his front feet up on my leg, as if to say, “hey, hey you…. I’m down here!!!!”
LOL at the strong beg!