To all of you who have recently lost babies, I am extremely sorry. I cry everyday when I read of all the tragedies - it is all so upsetting. To BIG, I just want to thank you for doing such a fabulous job with this list. It is definitely NOT an easy task. Unfortunately folks, in reflecting on the past year and all of the dishonesty and immoral things that I have seen go on in the Washington State ferret community, I have now decided to keep to myself and continue to help ferrets privately. I am still going to work with a group of 250 members that are more of a rescue operation here, than a club with parties. I will also continue to inform the pet stores around here of the illegal activity that has gone on with the officers of the ferret association. It is so disheartening to me that these people have turned out to be so hypocritical and also disappointing to me that I ever supported them. Right now, I have been trying to dispel some of the myths that a particular breeder here has been posting. Unfortunately, this breeder pretty much "owns" a mailing list here and some people are still pretty naive to what has gone on. I probably wont post on the FML because I am just plain tired of dealing with such people. I have made many great friends on the FML, and to you, I am grateful. Sadly, Washington State has some pretty crazy ferret-owning people and these people continue to market themselves as ferret experts. Upon reflection, I think that I just need a break from all of it. These people know who they are and are probably cheering at the idea that they are finally going to get away with what they did. I am quite sure that the breeder I have referred to above, (she knows who she is also) will enjoy my departure. I have been asked to move to San Diego, but cannot do it because I do not want to give up my fuzzies or take the risk. I do not like Washington State, so it has been a really hard decision for me to make. My husband is now looking into some other states that he can transfer to, a state with four seasons not just rain and a two-week summer. Colorado is one state that we have been considering. If there is a ferret organization in Colorado that is run by SANE people, I would love to hear about it. It is hard to move to an area where you do not know anybody. Wherever we end up going - it must include my fuzzies since they ARE my children. To all of you, take care and enjoy every moment you have with these precious creatures! Don't waste your time on those who are not worth it. Over and out~ Danielle [Posted in FML issue 2918]