Hello All FML'rs, I must take the time to introduce myself and my family of 10+1 ferret angel/girl... i have been a subscriber since January, 00.. I do more reading than writing, but you learn more that way. I have written to a few of you folks, got a few replys. Truly enjoy the songs, and have shared them w/friends...cried w/those who have lost their little ones....from the tragic - to - the tragic? Every loss is painful especially when we have developed such a deep loving bond w/these marvelous little creatures. My family of ferrets, and i don't know my colors, so hard to describe them by anything but names...are Zeus, my big baby boy, Bandit, for his mask, Jalepeno' for her feisty courage, (THE BEGINNING OF FERRET MATH). Then there were 3, that was more than a year ago, since then i have been adopted by some lovely little orphan girls, Crimson & Clover, they came with their given names, Crimson looks a lot like bandit, but just different enough to be able to know who i have in my arms...Clover looks like Jalepeno', but has two dots at her brows...her distinctive marks...they came to me through my daughter, because "they were biters?" COULD FOOL ME NOW. From there, due to a birth in the (HUMAN) family, i was again adopted by Athena (my angel/girl), who so much looks like Jalepeno', and her cage mate Hera', my first red eyed white? Probably due to the fact that i was new at this, was not a subscriber to FML, and just plain dumb, I lost Athena in January...she just quit eating...the vet I WAS going to, finally admitted to me, he just didn't know ferrets that well...well...Athena is now my angel girl. Shortly after i lost her, i got a call from the Humane Shelter, asking if i would be interested in 2 older boys...about 7 y/old, I called my husband, he said when can you get them, and i told him i was on my way...Home came Samson another red eyed white?, and My Odysseus/ake Odie...who is so prescious in my eyes...their family was having a baby...too...i got them w/no information on diet, names or such...so...i was frantically trying to keep them from following Athena to her demise...Odie lost weight...so much so his beautiful little eyes were sunk in his head, well some folks that run a ferret shelter refered me to the FML...gave me a recipe to use, and i have been grateful ever since...these folks w/get a donation for their shelter from me, as well as a few others to meet the challenge coming forth in the last few issues. After bringing the boys home, i called the HU/Soc. back and asked them a few more questions about the boys, went back to pick up a dinky little cage/with a promise from (?), that he would be bringing in a larger cage (?), i wonder if there ever was one...and a baggie of food that he left w/them....as i was about to leave, the girls said wait a minute, 2 more are coming in...and that is how i got Sadie and Jasmine...Sadie looks like Peenie, and Clover but has a foofey head, and Jasmine is the tiniest of Bandit, Crimson color...my last 2 girls came into the shelter in paper lunch bags...so there is my ferret math....story...i love everyone of them, and they all love me back...yes they had BEEN biters, but w/a LOT OF PATIENCE AND SIGHS...FROM THE PAIN...they grew to trust me, and quit biting...lots of love, playtime and handling, Samson bit HARD, so hard that i grew apprehensive when i wanted to pick him up, but i didn't quit either, and now he occasionally gives me kisses...tenderizing, i don't think so, but w/Sadie yes...she is still an ankle biter, but i think for attention more than anything else. I work 2 jobs, have 3 cats, a daughter & husband...many rats...and 12 shibunkin & black moor goldfish to boot...and don't forget our dog Ulyssees and Lynners greyhound Trevor...( I deliver newspapers in the wee hours of the morning when many of you sleep) I don't like to put my 2 cents in, because it usually isn't really worth that much, but i really appreciate the advice and information, and love that comes across from everyone. I wish i had a great big house, and lots of money...especially for those ferrets that have been tossed to the wayside because they were found to be too time consuming and work. It is all sorts of animals, i have a girlfriend that has taken in very large Iguanas that were turned back over to the pet store...and numerous other animals. I am sorry but i must say this, i really don't like to read the arguments... on the post. We have a common bond and that is our love for a particular little animal, we are here to share, not point fingers...and there is no one who is perfect...or he/she would have died for all of us. My purpose for joining this list is to read, share and learn all that i can to provide for my babies and care for them as best as i can, until i have learned a better way. You are all very interesting people and i love to read all that you have to say...some of the medical is pretty boggling to me, but if i read it enough, i will learn it well. You who have been ferret owners for a long time are my teachers, i am your student...please teach me well. I work in a jewelry department at a department store, i meet many people who seem to define their worth by how much or how big their jewelry is, i hope that our purpose for this mail is for the continuous cause for our furried friends and babies...dooks to you all...i may eat my words later, but for now...this has grown quite large, i shall retire to my lurking status for a while longer... Thanks to all of you who have replied to my previous mail, i appreciate all the suggestions and helpful hints in ferret care. I am not posting anon, i am not a coward. I am a grown woman...You have made me laugh, you have made me cry...you have broken my heart, because yours was broken...i am a ferret owner and lover of the tiny beast...i care for you. sincerely, donna P.S., Sorry this was so long, hope i dind't forget anyone either. I also hpe that i did this right or i will just get it back, eh? [Posted in FML issue 3054]