didn't take me long to 'put my foot in it', as reference to physical contact; however it was metaphorical (perhaps the wrong word) but as you suggest, was meant purely in convivial terms. hands, paws, fins - the context remains the same. I trust I have not offended your 'inner ferret'?
the concept of putting salt or any other corrosive substance on your tail will not do, nor be entertained. I have though, read some of the exchanges between Deepthought and yourself and yes, I would entertain further discourse around the notion of polarity, duality, singularity or even totality!
your reference to 'vulnerable person' had me in veritable fits of laughter (well, wry amusement at the very least), given I got taken to A&E 3 days ago. The result of a (very well-meaning) person's assessment of me and my current state as being "vulnerable and at risk - too much so for me to let you wander off on your own..." So yes, mad is currently a concise and appropriately apt terrminology.