Ferret Dreams

How much trouble can an eclectic bunch of cats, birds, a white fluffy dog and one squiggly ferret get themselves into while living under the same roof? If you've never experienced Crittertude before, then you'll gather a glimpse into the magical realm of possibilities: Alien abduction, time travel, mechanical finches, a devious plot to take over the world (again) and, just perhaps, an unattainable desire to answer a ferret's ultimate question, "Yes, but who will feed me?" In our stories about these household critters, we've tried to remain true to the unique character traits of each animal. Some are innocent, while others are less so. All, however, are dear to us and, surprisingly enough, to our readers as well. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Who are the main characters? Perhaps the rising star in all of this is Mady, the squiggly ferret, who adds a certain unpredictability and air of innocence to the house. Booper the white fluffy Maltese dog is the guardian of the house and general underdog for the innocent (no pun intended). Lazy Orange Fat Cat is, essentially, a cranky behemoth with an appetite that is rivaled only by her girth. Melvin is our resident green cheek conure who constantly vies for attention and, according to a pet psychic reading we once took on a dare, secretly wishes that all the other animals in the house would just pack up, go away and die. Sitting in the cage below, our Zebra and Java Rice finches share a common nest and are the best of friends. While Black Sneaky Cat is an easy-going, simple silent observer, he tends to be undone by his own obsessive-compulsive desire for playtime and overall power. Finally, there's One of Six, the only surviving bird out of a litter of six baby European Starlings that took nest in our roof. We're fairly certain that he exists with the mere purpose of uttering phrases in English and other various Star Trek sounds. And then there's the occasional household guest or two. Are all of the critters yours? For better or worse, they're all part of the household. Occasionally a critter is featured that is a temporary household guest; the others are the primary residents. Is any of this Photoshopped? Believe it or not, the majority of all the pictures are real, with the notable exception of the occasional flying saucer, lightsaber, small mouse (this is a mouse-free household) or objective-oriented mechanical finch. Situations also tend to be real and are rarely "staged", as is the interaction between all the animals. While Photoshop is used occasionally, it is minor and typically for image post-processing, inserting special effects or just general tomfoolery. Do they all really get along that well? The cats both stalk and tolerate the ferret (pointy teeth and claws prevent certain death). Melvin (the Green Cheek Conure) fears nothing except for the ferret. The white fluffy dog likes everyone except for the sharp biting conure. Of all the critters, Black sneaky cat is the most suspicious of all others. The starling (One-of-Six) just sits around reciting English phrases and Star Trek noises all day. Where did you come up with the name "Crittertude"? We'd love to say it was the result of much involved soul-searching. Frankly, it literally just came to us.