Well since I'm the emotional one (this is very true, I'm extremely
passionate about ferrets and their feelings), I can honestly (truthful
emotion ;-)) say that my posts are provided only to share personal
experiences and to be thought provoking.  I can't provide scientific
input on CR (or many other subjects for that matter), but I have read a
few of the studies and if this is the same type of CR Bob is referring
to, the people that participated looked like skeletons with skin (I'd
read the studies months before this thread began when searching for
'wasting' medical conditions) and take a mountain of supplements to meet
nutritional requirements.  In several articles on the subject, those on
CR diets were described as 'obsessed'.  But this isn't what prompted my
posts, it was my personal experience with ferrets, in different states of
malnutrition/starvation that I've nursed back to health, their medical
ailments, general observations of how they enjoy eating (watch them as
they happily munch away, eyes slightly closed and head tilting side to
side, or lapping up warm yummy recipes) and my own personal experiences
with restricted diets.
 
I know that ferrets are obligate carnivores and very sensitive beings.
 
How is it possible to put obligate carnivores on a CR diet?  With rodents
they can fill their little tummmies with lettuce but what could an
obligate carnivore, specifically ferrets, be fed that wouldn't add extra
calories yet would keep their tummmies from being completely empty and
that they will eat?
 
I prefer a ferret with a little meat on it's bones, certainly not obese
as obesity is a health hazard in itself.  This is my preference - it
doesn't have to be anyone elses.  I encourage others to thoroughly
research issues for themselves and then to make their own decisions.
 
KODO -
You are all much more forgiving than I.  The judge that ruled on Kodo's
case went with what public health wanted - Kodo's death.  I don't know
why Mr. Haveman didn't speak up then.  Kodo was vaccinated as the
Michigan law required AND he was held for 6 weeks while his fate hung
in the balance.  Outdated information contributed but more current
information was there if only he had looked.  I know.  We brought it to
court with us.  Laws are not black and white, they are grey.  They are
left to interpretation of the state entities to use as needed.
 
It would be better to be remembered as the person that saved Kodo
rather than the one that signed his death warrant.  His being sorry
doesn't bring Kodo back.
 
hugs to all. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart, F.B.S.
Ferret Family Services
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[Posted in FML issue 3972]