::Ferrets are playing about when they get an unexpected visit from a
   great Robed One.  They run to her and are so excited that they try to
   ride her robe, and dance all about her feet.  The Oracle dances around
   with them, and then notices one ferret looking at a group of ferrets
   in the far off distance very sadly::
 
RO: Why are those ferrets not coming over here?  Why are they staying so
far away?
 
Ferret: They have ADV.  They do not want to get us sick, or get ADV on
your robe.
 
RO: Awe, I'm sorry.  There are so many of them!
 
Ferret: Yeah we know.  We have lots of friends over there.  More and more
of our friends are having to stay away from us because they are scared of
getting us sick.  They keep leaving.  Some go to ADV shelters, some go to
the bridge but they always leave one way or another.
 
RO: I don't want any more ferrets to get ADV.  It's all so sad.
 
Ferret: Yeah it's scary for us.  I think one of the ways we can stop it
from spreading so much is to spread public awareness and education faster
than the disease.
 
RO: Well I've been trying, Wolfys' tried, and so many people are trying.
Ferret: I know and it's really helped.  When people test, are aware of
it, and take proper precautions it saves many, many ferret lives.  But
it's still spreading some.
 
RO: I don't know what else to do besides talk about it to people.  I mean
I try to do the right things myself, but so many people either don't know
about it, don't understand it, or have the wrong facts.  I wish there was
another way to get the word out to people.
 
Ferret: That's good.  Just talking is good, spreading the word.  Testing
is good.  Putting up ADV links on any websites is good... you know
Wolfy's ADV Straight Up page is for everyone to have... link, text and
all.  You can also donate to research, or you can participate in various
events here on the FML that raises money for ADV research.  Most of
all... you can be open to conversation and ideas about ADV and trying to
understand it.  That's really important now, so that we can explore all
sorts of options and solutions.  You know what else?  Just be a friend to
owners and ferrets who are going through this mess.  So they aren't so
alone.
 
   ::the ferret motions towards the lonely group far away::
 
RO: I am doing most of that.  I don't have much time on my hands now, and
don't have any money today.  Is there anything else I can do?
 
Ferret: Well, actually right now there is.  Ferret lovers have come up
with the idea to build a huge ADV Memory Quilt.  And you can help even if
you can't sew or even if you don't have an ADV ferret.
 
RO: Quilt?  I don't get it.
 
Ferret: Well see, if we build a huge quilt and have it tour the country
at various functions it will get noticed.  ADV will get noticed.  You
see each square will include Name, State of residence of an ADV positive
ferret no matter if they now live at the bridge or are living with us.
And it might be ok to list any description of the ferret which might
make the square more personalized (examples might be the color of
ferret,markings, likes, dislikes, etc., something like that).  You know
then when someone sees it, they will see that ADV is all over, that it
is among us, and how far reaching it really is.
 
RO: Like a visual slap of reality.  I get it now.  How can people help?
 
Ferret: Well you can send names and info on ADV positive ferrets..
owners can remain anonymous.  Or you can sew squares and send them to
those that are putting this together.
 
RO: Well that's easy.  I don't know ADV positive ferrets except maybe my
friend Judy Gronwalds babies.  I know "of" ADV positive ferrets, but I
have only met a few people that I know the names, etc.  So like, if they
are already represented what can I do?
 
Ferret: Spread the word.
 
RO: Easy enough!  ::little paw to pinky high five::
Okay who do we contact and all that?
 
Ferret: The quilt squares should be 12 x 12 on 100% cotton fabric, and
should be forwarded to: LIN MILLER 5019 SW 26 DR PORTLAND, OR 97201
But you know what?  I'm just a ferret and I don't know all the details
really.  So if you want more information it would really be good if you
wrote [log in to unmask]
 
RO: OH Alicia D?  I met her at the Symposium.  She seemed really neato.
 
Ferret: Yeah she is, and there are others that have helped in coming up
with this idea and putting it into action.
 
RO: I need to go... shake hairballs at people, dance, and do all that
kind of Oracle work ya know.  Have fun playing today.
 
  ::The Oracle looks over at the large group of far off ferrets, then
    back at the ferrets close by.  And right before her one of the
    ferrets close to her sadly walks away from the playing group to join
    the others in the ADV group.  The Oracle goes off to write her friend
    Judy to see if her ADV positive ferrets want to be represented, and
    to spread the word of the tiny ferret she spoke to::
 
Wolfy
 
Please visit:
http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/
for information on ferret deafness:
http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/deaf.html
[Posted in FML issue 3861]