Before we get off the topic I wanted to throw in my 2 cents about Ferrets
2000.  First, I can't say enough about the fantastic job that Randy did in
organizing the conference, along with Paige, Barrie, Olympia, Amy and all
the other Ferret Aid volunteers.  It is an incredible amount of work to
organize a get-together like this, and everything was wonderful!
 
The trip to the zoo and the lecture on black footed ferrets was very
informative and fun as well.  Bob C looked so natural in his Hawaiian shirt
that large exotic birds followed him around (I believe I have a photo to
prove this).
 
I know other people have raved about the speakers, and I agree 100%.  Troy
Lynn gave a wonderful and heartfelt presentation; Gary put forth a lot of
very good food for thought; Tom Willard imparted some very interesting
nutritional information (I learned some things about cats too); Chris' talk
got me thinking even more about regional collaboration among shelters.
Bob C's thoughts on behavior, caging, and keeping ferrets intellectually
stimulated were excellent and I hope he gets the chance to publish them.
Listening to Bruce Williams speak on ferret diseases would have been worth
the trip alone.  I hope his talk comes across well on the video, as it will
be a valuable resource.  Although I'm squeamish about blood and ferret
insides, I found that his talk combined with the slides really clarified a
lot about different diseases.  The hotel and food were wonderful too, and
Lily (my dog) had a great time meeting people.
 
It was very touching that 2 shelter ferrets, Tugger and Phoenix, died
during the conference.  I know that both of them received a lot of love
and the best of care while they were with Randy and Paige.
 
I also enjoyed meeting Randy's wonderful mother Deanna, and wish for her
continued good health.  And finally, I was very happy to meet Harley.
Sometimes when reading about Harley I wondered how much medical treatment a
ferret could take.  But meeting him in person I understand how Randy has
often said he has a very strong will to live.  This ferret could not have
been more alive and joyful, and he seemed very happy to be included in the
festivities!  A very special spirit in a ferret body.
 
I am lucky to have been able to attend both FML get-togethers.  I came away
from both of them with the same feeling--how wonderful it was to meet other
FML people.  Some people I knew from their posts and from emailing them;
but there were also other people whose names I didn't recognize who I
enjoyed meeting just as much.  I also think it is a bit humbling and I
know that I would think twice before criticizing someone's post after
having met them in person.  I highly recommend it.
 
I also combined this with some vacation time and enjoyed the trip to and
from Massachusetts almost as much as the conference itself.  The Finger
Lakes region in New York is magnificent at this time of year with all the
late summer wildflowers and fresh grapes.  I also spent some time in
Geneva NY and Lily got a chance to swim in Lake Seneca--are there any other
Hobart-WmSmith a lumni on this list?
 
Thanks to Bill Williamson for telling me about Brenda Miller's delightful
ferret supply store in Naples NY on Lake Canandaigua; Brenda also runs a
ferret shelter and is wonderful to visit (ask me for directions if you're
going that way).  We also took in Niagara Falls (I highly recommend this
if you've never seen it, especially the Canadian side, which also has
beautiful gardens).
 
On my way into Canada, I was bringing a lot of things to sell at the
conference for the Mass. shelters and Mass. Ferret Friends.  At customs
the young guy thought I had too much stuff for a short visit, and wanted
to know if I was trying to move into Canada.  :-)
 
I also enjoyed the interesting Ontario custom of placing a preliminary
street sign about 100 feet before the intersection so you could tell what
street was coming up.  This is most unlike Massachusetts, where half the
streets aren't labeled at all.  I also think you are much less likely to
get run over in a pedestrian crosswalk in Canada than in Massachusetts.
Cars even stopped if there wasn't a crosswalk, which I found highly
unusual.
 
All in all, I enjoyed my visit very much and hope the momentum for the next
symposium will keep going.
 
Ronnie (and Lily too)
[Posted in FML issue 3181]