A new addition to the family

A few years ago when I worked with my two mates Symon and Keith, Keith had a female Polecat amongst other things including two dogs, three cats and various parakeets. out of all the animals only the parakeets where caged, and from time to time the polecat.
   We work from what had once been a small farm yard and any of the animals that could roam free where allowed to do so , including from time to time the polecat who's name by the way was Babe. Keith lived on site so their freedom was continuous, if Babe wasn't in her cage in one of the outbuilding she had the freedom of the house. very often when I was in work I would have my two with me Kyfer and Misty, all getting on very well.

Misty with Pudding one of the cats.

With the carvings , even the bears where friendly.

And Kyfer with Babe , at this point she is in the Kakariki cage, I know you had to see it to believe it.

I forgot to mention there was also hens and ducks knocking about.
    At this stage its all about Babe, because I went into work one morning to find Keith upset, why the long face I asked , Babe has gone missing, she has somehow got out of her cage and just gone. Now generally speaking when this happens you have lost your polecat.
    Three days later when I went in, Keith was back to his happy self, its good to see he's got over it I thought. However the reason for his joy Babe is back, she had woke him up at three in the morning scratching at the door wanting to be let in. Not only was she back but as it later transpired she was pregnant !!!. Somewhere out there in the surrounding fields and woodland she had  found a male friend, and a good looking one judging by all the kits she produced with really good markings.
    Amazingly this wasn't a one off , as she disappeared for a second time with the same results. Keith use to handle all the kits from an early age, consequently there was no biting from them. I was seriously thinking of having one of the kits from the second litter, but didn't go through with it.
    For some time after that period I regretted not having one of the kits, so a few weeks back I set too and built a cage, and a fortnight ago when my Daughter was home we went in search of a polecat. We found a litter for sale about 50 mile from us , so drove over to have a  look, with the result.

Meet Bandit the new addition to the household

A nine week old bundle of fun and a torment.

The first couple of days must have been a bit stressful for him, having been snatched away from his siblings and everything that was familiar, and brought into a strange new world. consequently my fingers where blooded a few times, thankfully with gentle training we are past that stage, and he now tends to hold rather than bite.

Even at 8 to 9 weeks old they have rather sharp and needle like teeth.

It is not easy to photograph him as he is so active, just won't keep still long enough.

I'll try and do better.