Dear Lori:
 
Please let me introduce myself to you, my name is Jo Fowler and along with
my husband Ed we operate a ferret shelter, "Luv of Ferrets Shelter &
Rescue" in the state of Massachusetts.  We are a Massachusetts Ferret
Friends, Inc.  (MaFF) sanctioned shelter.
 
I certainly must defend Animal Planet, because in April of this year Robin
Hart from Wild Rescue, Animal Planet was in touch with me and asked if they
could do an interview about one of my shelter ferrets.  At first, I was
extremely skeptical (I actually thought someone was trying to pull my leg)
why would a show of that caliber know of my shelter and the work that my
husband and I do??  I went along with the request but not until I
investigated a little further.  It all took some time but yes, it was for
real!  Because of time commitments on my part the interview could not take
place until this past June 22nd.  It revolved around one of my former
shelter ferrets, Simon who had been adopted after 7 months in the shelter.
My shelter vet, my then present shelter ferrets, an adoption that had
previously been scheduled for that date but later in the day and just by
accident (because the interview was in depth) happened to take place on
camera, my husband and I, along with the star of the show Simon and his
Dad, Wayne were all interviewed.  This interview took an entire day.  From
9:00 AM until 5:30 PM with the shelter then until 8:30 PM with Simon and
his family.
 
This show on the domestic ferret and shelter will air sometime in the fall
of this year.
 
Good things take time, please do not be impatient.  I have been told by
Robin Hart that this is the first show that they are doing on the domestic
ferret.  I cannot believe that our shelter is being featured and we are
extremely pleased and proud.  We are a small shelter doing our best for our
fuzzie friends.
 
I feel that I was not able to impart properly all the important facts about
the domestic ferret but it was a beginning.  We love these critters, and I
personally feel that they are God's gift to us -- a form or natural
medicine.  When you are low and blue they make you forget your problems and
let you smile.  That smile is from within and is big and genuine.  After
one of these enchanting critters begs in front of you, kisses your ankle or
hand, does a flat ferret in front of you and looks at you lovingly, or its'
dance of joy what could be more uplifting to one's spirit?  The Almighty
certainly knew what He was doing when he created our much loved fuzzbutt --
our domestic ferret.
 
I do not know the exact date of the programs airing other than it is in the
fall lineup.  Please be patient and wait for it.  It is my hope this
program will be enjoyed by all and that many who have doubts about the love
and care between critter and human will be extinguished.
 
I also know that I was probably not the best person to represent the
domestic ferret but please know that my husband and I do our best for
them and that we enjoy and love each and every one.
 
Sincerely,
Jo Fowler
Luv of Ferrets Shelter & Rescue
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
[Posted in FML issue 2777]