Mike,
 
I must offer my thoughts re your post of 12/28/95.  IMHO, the FML exists as
a forum for all who have found ferrets to be one of the best companions a
human-type person could ever hope to have.  While we all enjoy the stories,
poems, chuckles, advice and fun, helpful, things which unite and enlighten
us, we must also be allowed to share the sorrows and tragedies which our
love of ferrets, must , unfortunately, include.
 
I have not yet experienced, though I know that it has to come, a serious
illness or death of a ferret companion.  I have, however, suffered the loss,
over the years, of countless cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, rats,
alligators, squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, etc.  They have all, in their
time, been my special friends and companions.  I can fully feel the pain of
someone who has lost such a special friend as a ferret.  I am truly thankful
that the FML exists and allows us to share, not only the heights of our
common joy, but, also the depths of our sorrows.  You see, Mike, we are not
'mainly strangers' here - we are friends.  We are friends who don't know
what each other looks like, don't care what other things each of us may be
interested in, but are united in our common love of ferrets.  The little
guys seem to have that effect on us.
 
As far as your objection to Kelleen's prayer is concerned, I think that God
- whatever you may choose to call Him, or not - would not object to hearing
any prayer which was so fervently offered.  We deal with ferrets and our
feelings about them here, not with our personal religious beliefs, or lack
of them.
 
Finally, I would suggest that, when you find a particular post objectionable
to your particular sensibilites, you simply stop reading it and move onto
one that is more to your liking.
 
We are all welcome here. This is our list. Let us not quibble about and
criticize those things which make us different. Let us concentrate upon and
celebrate those things which bring us together: Ferrets.
 
(Sorry, BIG.  I don't presume to set any guidelines for the FML.  As I said,
this is only my humble opinion.)
 
Paw Paw
[Posted in FML issue 1428]