I apologize that this did not go out on Monday as previously planned.  The
office computer had a significant problem.  Actually the computer should
apoloize!.
 
On Sunday April 19th I went to visit Sue Thomas and Mary Ann Staffire at Sue
Thomas' home in Okeechobee.  Unfortunately due to medical problems Mary Ann
was unable to be there.  Mary Ann's doctor ask that she take it easy and
reframe from driving.  Sue as always is going to Mary Ann's everyday, taking
her to the grocery store, doctors appointments, etc.
 
Mary Ann is doing better.  She insist that she handwrite her own message to
the FML and that I send it when she is finished.  This is quite a feat for
Mary Ann as her hands are in very bad shape.  No matter how Sue and I tried
to talk her out of it she has insisted.  We hope to get her letter to you
very soon.  It takes Mary Ann about an hour to put a paragraph togather so
we are not rushing her.
 
The following is a letter written by Sue Thomas to the FML.
 
Dear FML
 
"I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been so kind to send all
the wonderful cards and gifts to Mary Ann Staffire.  Everytime something
arrives in the mail she gets so excited.  She just told me today that she
cannot believe ho much kindness is out there.  She's going to get thru this
ordeal.  The healing will be slow, but with everyone's support, she will
make it."
 
"I myself, would like to thank those who have sent items in memory of Mary
Ann's babies = Sprite, Spike, Rody, and Deria.  The 40 ferets in the shelter
appreciate everything.  I appreciate everything."
 
"Thank you Linda Soule.  All my fuzzies will think of you everytime they get
their treats and relax in their hammocks.  They love the TOTALLY FERRET! "
 
"While I have this opportunity to get this on the internet thanks to Chere
Mccoy, I'm going to thank some others who have recently helped the fuzzies
here at the shelter in memory of Mary Ann's kids"
 
"First of all thanks to Chere for all she's done during this ordeal that
Mary Ann has had to deal with.  If not for chere, others would never have
know about the trragedy and May Ann would not have received the cards and
gifts she is getting.  These cards and gifts mean everything to Mary Ann and
each day they are delivered gets her excited and makes her smile."
 
"I also want to thank Angela at the South Florida Ferret Rescue for being
there for the ferrets every time I call her and for the cages and litter
boxs and water bottles she gave us a few months ago.  Thanks to the cages,
the fuzzies are not crowded to much now.  Angela gave these things and was
willing to get the money on a slow pay schedule."
 
"I want to thank Barbara Lundt in Jacksonville for recently helping in
getting 14 of my fuzzies up to Gainsville to Dr. Kemmerer."
 
"I want to thank Dr. Kemmerer for taking my 14 fuzzies.  These guys had to
be spayed and there were 3 with cancer.  The shelter only had the funds to
pay 1/2 the bill and Dr. Kemmerer was kind enough to accept payments on the
other half."
 
"Last - I would like to let every out there in (What I call, Ferret Land)
know that I plan to get hooked up on the internet soon.  I never knew there
were so many nice people out there AND nice people who love ferrets.  What a
plus!  It took this tragedy of Mary Ann's for both she and I to realize how
many wonderful people are out there that cares.  What I see is - All ferret
people stick together and help one another if they can.  It's great!!!"
 
"I don't feel alone anymore, and I can assure you - Mary Ann certainly
doesn't feel alone - She has you.
 
Thanks again to everyone, God Bless You!
 
Sue Thomas/Okeechobee Ferret Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 2286]