In the Longtail case here in Kansas, the McDowells were not notified of the
hearing date by mail till AFTER the date, that afternoon to be exact.  The
only reason they knew about it was because they continued pestering their
attorney and the courthouse to find out when the hearing was.  The hearing
was in the early a.m.  hours and the notice of the hearing was delivered in
that very afternoons mail.  It happens all the time, unfortunately.  Judges
rule on the info they have and if only one party appears they tend to rule
one sided - it's a fact.
 
Ferrets, or animals in general, are considered property.  It is true they
have no rights by law, but not true by hearts.  Unfortunately Judges don't
rule by heart and they deal with so many different types of cases there is
no possible way they could know everything about everything so they rely on
the information they are given and what the attorneys present.  From the
court cases I've attended (both animal and non-animal related) the Judge
hasn't had time to review the documents presented and took time during
court to do so.  What the attorney's presented during the hearings held an
enormous amount of weight in the cases.
 
Special Feedings
I've nursed many ferrets and found that some ferrets eat better for certain
people.  When Sandy visited, Coco ate better for her than she does for me.
I've had Coco since 1992 and for the last year she's been fed recipe
several times a day.  Some will eat better for Nancy and some won't eat for
her at all.  It isn't so much that they are being fed but who is feeding
them.  The bonding process of the caretaker and each ferret is so very
important.  Also, keeping their routines on schedule is also very important
and will impact their health.  Emotional stresses can be as deadly as
physical.  Silver has regained his weight but he NEEDS the emotional
advantage of my holding him while he eats his recipe, if I sit him down
with his saucer he won't eat.  If I were not there to feed him, chances are
high that he would starve himself.  To look at him you would never know.
He is beautiful and a bit chunky.  It is the emotional aspect that he so
needs.
 
Thank you to all that sent condolences on Dezzies passing.  She was such a
little talker I'm sure she'll have lots to say when we finally meet again.
 
And a gentle reminder, whatever you do, particularly those that deal with
unwanted/abused/neglected ferrets - do what is best for the ferrets.
Remember that these little ones are filled with emotions even though they
can't tell us how they feel.
 
My warmest condolences to all who have lost their beloved ferrets.
 
Warm hugs. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart
Ferret Family Services
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/
Please sign up to support our charity
http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=46&mid=58395
[Posted in FML issue 3271]