Yes I now have a sidekick.
Introducing Loki, the ferret!

Crystal named him after the god of misceif, which is fitting as he likes nothing better than to climb to the top shelf of my closet and knock things off as he chirps "dook! dook! dook!" (ferret laughing)
I got him at 6 weeks, and he's now 12 weeks old, and atleast doubled if not tripled in size. He's litter trained but hell on 4 legs, hence why Crystal named him Loki.

At first I wasn't sure how he'd get along with my roommates cat or if she'd hurt him. Silly me, He's a ferret, at half her size he chases her.

He's pretty cute and I've really missed not having a pet, so it feels good to have a little fuzzball running around while I program or sculpt (assuming I'm at home and not out at the studio).

For anyone in Canada considering a ferret I'll warn you, it's alot more expensive than in the States. (I had no idea at all because the info I read was US) I got Loki instead of a new laptop as I figured I need to get away from the computer a bit more (and I really don't need a duo core to program php/mysql in notepad anyways... that would just be silly, yes notepad) in the end I could have bought 4 laptops though. I'd read about US pricing, but Canadian vet bills add up, and baby ferrets need 4 visits when they're young for distemper and rabies, and if they got something stuck in their intestines it's $2000-3000 for surgery (I was quoated $250 for the US vets...)
Don't misunderstand though, he's worth every penny I've spent so far. He's quite a funny little guy and wants nothing more than to play play play! and unlike kittens he won't outgrow this stage, he'll just get more snuggly. he's not all that snuggly right now, but he does follow me everywhere I go.

And NO, ferrets don't stink. There's a slight musky smell which I actually don't mind at all. Also they've been domesticated for a few thousand years and have lost most natural instinct so they make good companions. Ferrets were acctually kept as houshold pets before cats became common.

You can see more images of Loki in the updated photo album.

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If you're thinking of getting a ferret check a shelter or other adoption service. an example for ontario is http://www.ferretsforlife.com/

many people feel odd about a 'used' animal, well, with ferrets they NEVER outgrow their kitten playful stage. that's what a ferret is their entire life! it's botha blessing and a curse. By adopting a ferret you'll not only help an animal in need but the cost will be reduced from atleast $600 to perhaps $150. Next little guy I get will most likely come from such a shelter.