We all know how often potential adopters want the young healthy ferrets and I know each and every once of us that work rescue has plenty of sad stories. I'd like to take a minute to recognize a heart of gold. Sadly she is not online, but I want everyone to know about her anyways. About 4 months ago, a lady came to meet me who specifically wanted a kit from private lines. A friend of hers had come with her. While we chatted and played with ferrets and such, her friend kept going back over and over to one of the rescues. Esmerelda had come into rescue a very sad case. She was found on the streets and assumed dumped. The lady who had found her was not even sure this really was a ferret... because Essi was almost totally bald. A little fuzz on her feet and head was all there was. Her age was guessed in the 5 year range. She also had the sweetest, most loving and most affectionate personality I had ever seen in a rescue. She had received Adrenal surgery but still totally bald... nobody ever gave her a second look. This girl seemed not to even notice the missing hair, all she saw was that awesome personality and the heart full of love. She begged me to let her adopt her. The only hitch was I would not let her leave until I was sure the surgery was a success and she was on a solid road to recovery. For the next 3 weeks LaDonna drove me nuts, stopping by the house 3-4 times a week asking to see her baby. Finally she was allowed to take her home. About 2 weeks ago, Ladonna dropped by and stuck a ferret in my face... at first I thought she had adopted another somewhere else, then it dawned on me.. it was Essi.. with a full coat of fur! Still short, soft, new fuzz.. but fur nonetheless! Just watching the two of them together you could see their special bond and how much they love each other. LaDonna then asked if I had "any more old ones nobody wants that would make a nice friend for Essi".. I introduced them to Heidi, a girl found lost and wandering, half starved. Age guessed at 4-5 years, horrid teeth, a broken canine etc etc etc but a very sweet personality. We put Essi and Heidi in the play rom together and they struck up an instant friendship. As we started working on the paperwork, I noticed Ladonna sitting there with Essi snuggled and content on her lap... and across the room was her boyfriend, with Heidi snuggled on HIS lap wearing an equally content and happy look. I knew then this would be a perfect situation. L:adonna is well aware neither of these ferrets are in great shape and may not have a long time left... but she saw only their sweet faces and loving hearts and wanted to make sure they lived out whatever time they do have left in the arms of someone who loves and cherishes them. My heartfelt gratitude and respect for people like this, and I wish there was more of them. :) [Posted in FML issue 3049]