Of all the ferret owners you will meet, the one you will always remember
is Troy Lynn Eckert.  She has devoted every moment of her life to ferrets
since they were first introduced.  In her own life, Troy Lynn has
experienced more pain than many of us could fathom.  She has held the
hand and paw of those who now wait at the Rainbow Bridge.  She has
created a haven for all the little furry critters we love.  She answers
the phone when home and, when not, calls back as soon as possible.  Troy
Lynn is willing to help out ferret owners with contacts and advice.  She
will sit and listen as you cry on her shoulder.  She has a heart full of
love -- and a house full as well -- for, in Troy Lynn"s words, *Love is
being owned by Ferrets.*  And her house certainly is!
 
Many years ago, Troy Lynn Eckert migrated east from California to Kansas.
And stayed.  Her Mom and aunts still live in the Golden State, but Troy
Lynn will not go where her ferrets are not welcome.  Known to her friends
as TLE, Troy Lynn received her first ferret as a wedding gift.  Since
that time, she has had more ferrets through the door and more ferret
memories in her heart than some people will have in a lifetime.
 
Seeing the need in her area, Troy Lynn founded Ferret Family Services, a
domestic ferret public service organization.  She has dedicated her life
and her home to meeting the needs of any little ferret who finds himself
outcast.  *Ferrets are so misunderstood, neglected, abused that they need
people to be here to educate others on their care and to provide a loving
home for those that have been harmed by others.*  While her primary work
is done at Kansas State University, it is not uncommon to find Troy Lynn
working a second and sometimes third job to pay the bills.  You can also
read about upcoming events in the ferret community by checking out her
regular column in *Ferrets* magazine.
 
Last year she installed a swimming pool in the middle of the living room.
Rumor has it that the beach is moving to Kansas.  The ferrets are allowed
to free roam throughout the house.  Every ferret has a special place and
Troy Lynn knows where each can be found.  When asked how she was able to
keep up with so many needs every day, Troy Lynn replied, *We all have 24
hours in a day.  It's a matter pf prioritizing.*  In Las Vegas, at the
2002 Ferret Symposium, she addressed *Fuzzy Time Management* (a handout
is available at
http://au.geocities.com/ferretsymposium2002/Presentations/TLE.pdf ),
a guideline that is useful to all areas of life.
 
Occasionally Troy Lynn will take some time to herself to attend a
Renaissance Festival or a mind, body and spirit fair.  For the most
part, she just doesn't have time to relax.  How would Troy Lynn like
to be remembered?  Like many other people who give so much of themselves
to helping others, she was quick to reply, I *don't need to be.*
 
If she could take a vacation, Troy Lynn MIGHT be found sitting on a
Mediterranean island reading a mystery.  Or, curled up with a ferret or
ten watching her favorite movie, *The Lost Boys.*  However, experience
has taught her that leaving her babies for more than 26 hours causes them
to become stressed.  So, instead of soaking up the rays on the beach,
Troy Lynn will be found spreading her sunshine in St. Louis, where she
will talk about grief.  Come hear Troy Lynn on April 30 at the Ferret
Symposium in St. Louis, MO!
 
To read more from Troy Lynn, visit the Ferret Family
Services at http://www.ferretfamilyservices.org/
 
Meet Me in St. Louis!
April 29 - May 1, 2005
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 4858]