There are some people in life that leave a very strong impression on
you long after you have left them, such an impression that you never
expect them to leave this earth before you, and Jerri Carel is one of
those people.

I found the original "Ferret Giving Tree" the first year of ferret
ownership, and a ferret from The Ferret Haven was one of my first
several picks from the tree. Money wasn't plentiful so my sister,
Margaret and I made bedding to send, and we received a sweet card of
thanks. It wasn't long before I was driving to Northern Indiana for
my parents and got to see The Ferret Haven and Jerri, one of my first
ferret shelters other than here in GA.

From our first hug, I felt all the love, understanding, compassion, and
joy that I've ever shared from one person and one hug. At our first
meeting we both brought bedding for each other ... getting bedding from
someone else (and a shelter operator at that!) was a total first for
me. She was so thrilled with any help given when visiting, and shared
all her knowledge about ferrets. I was there when she had only had the
McKids for a short time, and helped work their cages so that they would
be easier to clean for the ones that were biting to the bone. A few
months later, she already had most turned around, and I got to love on
two dark brothers (one had nailed me before), and it was amazing to see
the difference. Some months later, she asked if I wanted one of them,
and I jumped to have Grizzly and Karen and I went to get him, and Jovi
for her. It was so wonderful that she shared this boy with me that
could have been adopted to anyone. She cried with me over the heartache
of losing him too ... He was "our" boy.

Jerri had some major health challenges that most couldn't face just
one, but every time she would overcome them, and be on top. She never
lost the drive to keep going, when I'm not sure I would have had the
strength to do the same. During one of her tougher times, Karen and I
went back up to help and she ended up talking me into two young boys,
to help her out. We three still were joking at the Indy 500 about my
"nippers", that were "Nailers" when I got them, but I didn't really
know until I got them home. In my mind, it was quite a fun joke,
because my first boy was a total angel, and these two were hellions.
Strangely enough we remember the story differently ... and had a good
laugh.

It was wonderful to get to see her at the Indy 500, just hearing her
laugh about the boys, was enough to make me happy. She had a way of
laughing and giving everything her attention, that made you know you/it
was important.

On Facebook, others have written words to describe her like: kind,
loving, angel, beautiful soul, compassionate, wonderful sweet soul,
that did so much for so many and always with the purest of intentions.
These are just the tip of the iceberg of who she was, words can't even
begin to express. To say that there never will be another person like
her - is an understatement.

Jerri left us June 21st, and it is a much sadder place for me and many
others ... But I do know she is laughing and has hundreds of furkids
thrilled to welcome her to the Bridge.

Missing my dear sister/friend,
Florence

P.S. It was posted on FB that Visitation will be held on Wednesday,
June 26, 2013 at Middletown Christian Church 500 N. Watterson Trail
Louisville, KY 40243 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Service will immediately
follow the visitation.

[Posted in FML 7831]