Dear Fellow FMLers,
 
It is with a heavy heart I report the following:
 
Saturday, August 10, 2002.  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -- "Eight ferrets
and a cat died in a Friday morning apartment fire sparked by an
unattended candle set up on a balcony to protect the ferrets from
mosquitoes.  Firefighters said the animals' owner feared that mosquitoes
would infect their pets with the West Nile Virus."
 
I'll spare everyone the rest of the gory details.  I'm still reeling from
the fact that this mental midget had his/her ferrets on a balcony in the
first place.  July/August/September are brutal in Arkansas when it comes
to heat.  Our daytime temperatures frequently soar above 100, and about
this time of year, the nighttime lows don't go much under 85.  When
humidity is added into the equation, the heat index can easily go beyond
109.  How could anyone with an IQ above 50 expect those little guys to
not suffer in such heat?  Not only did those little ones die a horrible
death, but to even think about how they must have suffered in such
conditions is giving me nightmares.
 
The paper didn't name the individual, but since I have connections with
the owners of that apartment property, it won't take me too long to
discover his/her name.  When I do, rest assured that I'll be visiting
that person for the purpose of education in how to properly care for
ferrets -- "Arkinsaw Education by Tire Tool", if necessary.  (Not to
worry -- I'll be sympathetic, kind, and understanding at first.  BUT --
if I find out this person just didn't care...).
 
Sandee, please welcome these little angels with open arms.  Introduce
them to Melampki and Maximilian, so they can tell those little guys that
not all humans are as thoughtless as some.  Requiescat in pace, Little
Ones.
 
C.B. and Loki
[Posted in FML issue 3872]