Rick wrote: >I don't care that you had to accept the job promotion and you were forced >to give up that living creature who you have bonded with for the past two >years and now are abandoning so you can make more money. I don't care >that you have to move..... DO NOT PURCHASE THIS FERRET IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA >WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS." Well, Rick, it's obvious you don't care about much. I envy you for having a life where you know what's happening for the next ten years -- you are very fortunate. But out here in the real world, life isn't that simple. I have never abandoned a pet, and hope I never have to. I abhore people who consider their pets to be totally disposable. But life happens, Rick. There are circumstances when good people just can't keep their pets in a healthy environment, and the best thing to do is surrender them and hope they find a better home. I feel compassion for you because it sounds as if you are really burned out. You have probably seen some horrible things, and you've allowed that to make you bitter and angry. But surely you don't really think that ferrets come before someone's children getting food? Or that someone shouldn't accept a new job that will provide a better future for their family just because the ferrets can't come along? These decisions may not come easily, but they sometimes have to be made. None of us have any idea what will happen in our lives over the next ten years. Certainly my life is completely different than what I pictured 10 years ago (fortunately, for the better!). I had no way of knowing that I would meet a wonderful man and marry him, and live a wonderful life with him. I sure didn't know I'd move four times (all the critters tagged along). Just as my cousin had no way of knowing her young husband would drop dead of a heart attack, leaving her deeply in debt. Rick, it sounds as though you need a break. Do you have any way of taking a vacation? Or maybe doing some volunteer work that would allow you to see the GOOD people of the world? The ferrets you are handling must surely be sensing your stress and anger. RE: NIGHTMARES -- Don't worry about your ferret crying in its sleep. That is normal. I know how you feel, though -- I usually go hold my little Rosie when she cries in her sleep (which, of course, wakes her up). She has never been abused, but has cried sometimes in her sleep since she was a baby. She sounds so pathetic! My big boy, Seamus, dreams also. He will be sound asleep, and his paws will start paddling like crazy! He's either hunting mice or female ferrets! Joanne [Posted in FML issue 3069]