Whoa, everybody! I think alot of people need to go back and reread my post with a more open mind! I neversaid I thought cats, dogs, and horses were the only pets anyone should own! I was referring to companion animals! And I never said I though ferrets were exotic pets - I said I didn't think people should own the so-called exotic pets. But nowhere did I see that I considered ferrets to be exotic. Quite the opposite, my whole point was that I know too little about these creatures to weigh in specifically about them. And, Trisnic, where did I even write the word "cage"? You take me to task, but then basically agree with me by saying "certain animals should not be owned as pets". As far as the horses go, I have never owned a horse and it's very doubtful I ever will, but that is clearly a symbiotic relationship because the horses get food, shelter, and care (I think we all have to understand that noraml pet owners are what we all are talking about, not the abusers - no animals are safe in their hands) and the humans get recreation while riding. I guess I should not have veered off into a related subject without starting a new thread - I specifically said I don't know about ferrets. Oh, well, we each have our own opinions, I just wish mine had not been so misunderstood.