Good news -- with permission, I am forwarding the following from
Frances Stepp, the new ferret family member in the UK who was so
abruptly introduced to carpet sharks:
 
-------- Forwarded Message --------
 
FROM:     FRANCES STEPP, 100024,415
TO:      Katherine Fritz, 71257,3153
DATE:    04/18/92 at 21:53
 
SUBJECT: Hang-on to your bloomers!!!!
 
KAAATTTIIIIEEE!!!!
 
    I GOT THE FERRET!!!!!!!  WE WON!!!!
    Well, this round anyway!
    But that was the most important one.  Everything is just par
for the course and can be handled as it happens.  I CAN handle anything
now.  I stayed up half the night waiting for her to come in.
    I casually approaced her, and told her what I had done for the
animals, estate, etc.  Made her feel indebted!!!  Then I mentioned that
I had become very attached to the ferret and since she did not want
it, would she give it to me!  She thought I was crazy, thinking that
the ferret was in the same condition as when she left.  But resigned to
letting me have it.  When I showed her Jake sleeping in the hutch, well
she didn't say anything, but you could tell she couldn't believe her
eyes.  After she let me have Jake, I let her know what I thought of the
conditions that the ferret was in.
    Get this!!!!  She told me that "they" (whoever "they" may be)
said that ferrets were not suppose to eat too much and be skinny!!!
This lady is seriously brain damaged!!!  But I played along.  Estate
Agent want be in until Wedesday to give her all the latest problems
that I have helped to shovel at her.  And I caught her before she had
time to think about anything!!  I'm TOO good (pat on the back).
    So the worst of the crisis is over and I can handle the rest as
it comes.  I'm a big girl, and can take care of myself.  Ferrets,
however, can only do what we do for them.
    Katie, again my undying thanks for being my shoulder to cry on
every night and for answering my mail so quickly.  I couldn't have done
it without YOU (pat yourself on the back, too).
    After the holidays, Jake goes to the vets for shot, check and
to get it'ed (smile).  I'm pretty sure he is strong enough to handle
the stress now.
    Excuse the terrible writing but it is (3am) very late but I
wanted to get this off to you before I went to bed.
    Will be sure to keep you informed as to how things are going in
the meantime.  But that stuff want be so bad.  And you can sleep
tonight knowing that all of us involved (and there have been many) did
a wonderful thing by adopting Jake!
              My regards to Jeff as always, and
              again, THANKS
                   Frances
 
-------End Forwarded Message------------
 
I'm blushing (a little) about such effusive praise -- I just answered
some questions about ferret care & feeding.  I figure we ferret lovers
gotta stick together, right?  And also, how could I stand by, after all
the love & support I've gotten from people on the mailing list?
 
Anyway, the request for information about ferret groups in the UK still
stands.  If anyone has such information, please send it to the mailing
list so we can point Frances in the right direction.
 
Katie, Jeff, Bandit, Molly, Charlie & Pogo
 
[Posted in FML issue 0248]