In this posting, there is a message that is related to ferretdom. As many of you know, I, the Ferretguy have congenital heart disease(thanks dad). In the last two years, I have had six heart attacks, even though I have taken my meds faithfully, started walking more, and tried to keep my stress levels down. Reading Dees letter about Eric and Mary didn't help the last factor at all. Recently, I spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital. My mother in law was also dying of cancer while I was in the hospital.My wife and the president of Especially Ferrets Inc. kept the shelter open even while dealing with great burdens upon herself. The shelter by no means operated at any level of efficiency, but all the volunteers rallied to feed, water, and clean the cages for 130-140 ferrets while Gloria was sitting with either myself or her mother , wondering which one of us was going to die first. ( I actually was dead several times and on life support for awhile). When I praise my volunteers at every chance I get, I can never repay them for the help they have given to the Fuzzies at Especially Ferrets. I let them know that the most important thing in a persons life should be their family, and when they take the time away from their family to help the fuzzies at our shelter, I am so honored to be in their presence. Eric and Mary are spending time to heal their family. The amount of money any one person has lost is trivial and insignificant compared to what they have given of themselves to all the ferrets in this world. Their circle of friends are supporting them in whatever it takes for Eric to get well. Even though I personally don't know either one of them, I too support what they are doing and if MF has to be late, or never even comes, I will understand. For I too have had to mend myself and had the support of my family and friends in doing so. If it weren't for them, I don't think I would have had the will to go through so much pain to carry on. Dees words have fallen on deaf ears here at Especially Ferrets and our prayers go out to the Sheffermans to get well. Hugs to all, Ferretguy [Posted in FML issue 3150]