Hello,
This is the third message I've sent today but I can't
help myself -- I have just finished reading #132-189,
and I am impressed/appalled/relieved/drained/happy/sad/overwhelmed
at all the information I've absorbed in such a short period of
time. (A friend of my, formerly a nurse, scolded me for doing
it but I couldn't stop -- it was like eating peanuts).
 
[Far worse.  It's like reading USENET....]
 
To Fritter's family (I'm sorry, I'm not sure what your name
is!):
 
[Steve and Sukie Crandall]
 
        My thoughts are with you. The last message I saw from
        you was October -- I hope you are doing OK and that
        the rest of the brood is well.
 
To Nancy Hartman:
        Again, last message I saw was from October.  I hope
        your sister is better & the family is OK. My husband
        & I are in your neck of the woods & very interested
        in the Delaware Valley Ferret Club. Please send the
        pertinent info when you have time to me at:
                [log in to unmask]
 
To Cooper's family:
        My thoughts are with you too. Hope all is well.
 
To Beau in Massachusetts:
        I'm fascinated by your fight to legalize ferrets
        in Massachusetts. We belong to UFO & get their
        newsletter -- 2 of our ferrets are from Path Valley,
        that's how we found out about UFO -- and had NO IDEA
        any of this was going on, or UFO/Ferret World's
        role in politics.  I recently obtained information
        about a Ferret Fanciers Club in Pittsburgh & have
        been wondering how many other ferret organizations
        there were out there & why information seems so
        disconnected (i.e. that FFC & UFO don't mention each
        other and DEFINITELY don't mention the Ferret Mailing
        List or any of the other organizations mentioned
        therein.  Is there anything I can do (keeping in
        mind that I'm no expert)?
 
To Cindy & Sweet Sam:
        Giving in Fritter's memory -- what a lovely gesture!
 
To Fara Shimbo (sp? -- sorry if I botched it)
        I'm not exactly clear on where you are -- but
        I'd be interested in more information about
        your newsletter (Weasels, huh?)
 
To Chris Lewis:
        Thank you for having this list! It's nice to have
        what I have to consider a "ferret support group"
        so readily available.  I'm only sorry I didn't know
        about it sooner.  All the information about ferret
        diet, health, social activity, and even politics
        is absolutely fascinating and makes me feel like
        part of a larger family.
 
Bandit has been ill for about a month now, and it has been
strange much of the time. There have been times we've felt
like we were on a deathwatch, and absolutely exhausted from
crying.  Friends of ours in Warminster, Pa., who have 2 ferrets
(they were so taken with Bandit when they first met him, they
acquired Bandersnatch, and a year later, Mimsy) sent a sympathy
card that was SO much appreciated.
 
But otherwise it's been hard telling other friends who do not have
ferrets what we are feeling without after awhile having them
just nod their heads without really listening.
 
Charlie & Molly (short for Maledicta) were very subdued & upset
at first -- especially for the 2 days Bandit was in the hospital --
but have been generally OK since the B-man went on Prednisone &
started feeling better and acting more normal.  They don't
even TRY to play with him anymore though.  Molly has been a bit
more distant, while Charlie seems to want snuggling & comforting
quite a lot -- and he NEVER used to be so affectionate!
 
Bandit has an appointment this weekend with Dr. Karen Rosenthal
of the Animal Medical Center in NYC, and we are feeling a bit
more hopeful.  Our vet has been generally supportive but has
reached the point that he just doesn't know what else to do.
A needle biopsy was inconclusive; Dr. Harris can't do ferret
bloodwork & Bandit is not strong enough for an operation.
Dr. Harris has ferret experience but is not a specialist; he's
of a general practitioner who sees a number of ferrets but
doesn't have the facilities for anything really serious.
 
The preliminary diagnosis is lymphosarcoma but this has
not been confirmed. Dr. Rosenthal seems to think it may be
something less serious; we'll see.  Anyway, Bandit will at
least get bloodwork done.  He's been on Prednisone, 0.5mg daily
for 3 weeks now & is holding his own at 2 lbs, 2 oz., down from
approximately 4 lbs.  He is 3-1/2 and an absolute charmer --
4 ferrets have happy homes because of him -- Molly, Charlie,
Bandersnatch & Mimsy!
 
Wish us luck . . .
 
As far as the "survey" goes -- Bandit, Molly (3) and Charlie (1)
are convenience ferrets.  I believe Bandersnatch (about 3) and
Mimsy (about 2) are convenience also.
 
Thank you. You can have the soapbox back now; I feel better.
 
                Katie, Jeff, Bandit, Molly & Charlie
 
[Posted in FML issue 0225]