Greetings, Folks!
 
Well, here I sit on the first day of the new year.  I do hope that everyone
has a wonderful one!!  As I was reading the FML this morning, I was
reminded of so many things which happened this year.  You are all so
supportive.  What a wonderful family we make.  I joined the list about
one year ago, towards the end of December/beginning of January sometime.
What an impact it has made!!
 
Almost exactly one year ago, I lost my big shelter boy Booboo.  There was
no end to the support I received from you wonderful people.  (This is
bringing a tear to my eye.  Please, Sandee, check up on Booboo for me,
and tell him his momma is thinking of him.)
 
When I faced the separation anxiety my ferrets experienced when my husband
and I split, you were there for me.
 
When I shared the joy of my two new additions this year, here you were.
 
Always ready with kind words and thoughts, advice, support, or just ready
to share a laugh.  You are all truely special!  Thank you.
 
Now then, being addicted to ferrets...  Of COURSE you are addicted to
your ferrets, and how can you HELP it??  You can tell your hubby there
IS a 12 step program...
**Step 1: Over the dancing fuzzy
**Step 2: Around the ferret toy
**Step 3: Away from the toe-chasing furr brat
**Step 4: Narrowly missing the "present" left not SO far in the corner
**Step 5: Backward to avoid the marauding beasts in front of you
**Step 6: Forward again to avoid the marauding beasts behind you
**Step 7: Leaping onto the bed to escape ankle nippers
**Step 8: Step 8 is painful.  It involves stepping on a ball and
  twisting your ankle.  You may want to skip it and go straight to Step 9.
**Step 9: Step 9 is a two step.  The kind you do when you put a foot
  down in the dark, and there is a ferret under it, so you lift it back
  up again and repeat until you find an unoccupied bit of floor.  This
  could take up to 10 minutes.
**Step 10: Step 10 plants your foot directly in the path of a war
  dancing fuzzy.  Use caution!!
**Step 11: To the couch to find your hair clippies, etc. underneath.
  Step 11 is taken on hands and knees, rather than by feet.
And Step 12 is: That fateful first step into the pet store when you
  aren't yet aware you will be leaving with another fuzzy.  This program
  is actually better used as an excersize program...
 
Someone likened the FML to a newspaper.  Funny...I don't read the
newspaper, but I don't miss my FML every morning.
 
Oh, TWO of my four babies celebrated their first New Year this year.
Tasha was a Valentine's Day gift, and Robin was an early (November)
Christmas present.  So they got an extra treat at midnight.  They came
out of the celebration unscathed with the exception of blue body glitter
on their noses from kissing mom. :-)
 
Well, anyway, Happy New Year to EVERYBODY.  I hope this coming year is
wonderful for all of you.  For me it is a new beginning and I want you
all to know how glad I am you may be able to share in that!
 
Melissa Barnes, soon to be Kuzara again
Mira, Cael, Tasha and Robin
www.geocities.com/lostferrets
[Posted in FML issue 3285]