Hi Maren! ***waves***
And a big happy greeting to everyone else here on the FML!

As I was reading Maren's post the other day, I cannot begin to put into
words the emotions that came up in me. I dont like snakes. Never have.
But we are all entitled to our opinions. Feelings and opinions aside, I
wish to state a few facts.

I have the privelage of knowing Maren. For those who have never met
this lady, how can you possibly speak negativly about her, or her
intentions? I moved to east Texas from the Memphis area a little over
a year ago. Memphis is like most other cities in America. It has its
good points, and its bad. It also has some of the most violent and
ruthless thugs within its limits. Yes, Memphis is a murder capital, and
definately has certain areas where you would be foolish to travel to
without some form of self protection. Maren is not only in her rights
to arm herself for protection, but also wise enough to know that she
must. There are areas in that city that even the police fear.

While I was living in west Tennessee, I was blessed with the chance to
not only meet Maren, but to adopt 3 wonderful little furballs from her
rescue. Cody and Isis, a bonded pair. And later, Kaluah, a beautiful
little black sable DMK rescue. Between those adoptions, I also acquired
8 other little angel babies from various situations of abuse, neglect,
and surrenders.

I have never met anyone, in my almost 30 years of being owned by
ferrets, that exhibit the strength and passion to do what she does for
these blessed little creatures. Maren's home is like a ferret shrine.
Once a ferret crosses the threshold into Maren's home/shelter, that
ferret is insured the best possible care, protection, and love that
one could ever hope for. And that is obvious before you ever step foot
into her house. Literally. As you approach the door, you realize that
this is a very special place. Before you are allowed to enter, you are
instructed to remove your shoes and leave them outside. Most people
have no idea as to how many nasty little things we carry into our
homes on the bottoms of our shoes. This is one of Maren's first lines
of defense. She is like an overprotective mother hen, but these are
her babies, and she will do whatever is necessary to insure that her
babies are safe!

Once you enter her house/shelter, it is obvious that this place is
ruled by ferrets! She loves every single one of these little critters
as if it were an only child. There is very little "hoomin space" in
here. There is a narrow passage thru the kitchen to walk. The rest is
divided off into play areas for the fuzzies. She doesnt have a kitchen
table. Why? Because it would take space away from the ferrets play
areas. Duh! And for Maren and her ferrets, that is just not an option!
The cages are all filled with toys, fresh food and water, tons and tons
of comfy hammocks, sleep sacks, and anything else a little ferrets
heart could desire! One look at Maren's ferret shelter and it becomes
obvious that Maren herself must have been a ferret in a previous life!

As she goes about her business of cleaning up after, and caring for her
"brood" each and every ferret is called by name, given hugs, kisses,
and a special one on one greeting by Momma Maren. One by one, she will
tell you the ferrets history and circumstances of how they came into
her care. She has probably the most ferret knowledgeable vet for
hundreds of miles around who tends to the health needs of every single
ferret in her shelter. And if you want to adopt a ferret or two from
her shelter, be prepared to answer a ton of questions on how you will
care and house the ferret, provide medical care, companionship, and all
the other necessities of taking care of one of "her" babies. You're
also gonna sign a contract! Even though that ferret leaves the shelter,
it never leaves her heart or mind.

And she will do whatever needs to be done to rescue a ferret in danger
or distress. Maren is truly a Godsend to the tri-state area where she
operates out of.

Maren, I want to thank you, on behalf of all the ferrets you have
touched with your love and generosity.

So before anyone says anything negative about Maren, her shelter, her
methods, or her passion for these precious little lives, I suggest you
try and walk a mile in her shoes. Most folks wont even be able to take
the first couple of steps.

Cheryl

[Posted in FML 6388]