Hi folks, Some people think that the FML is going through dark times. That there is too much bickering, that good people are being forced to leave to avoid nasty remarks against them. Well, maybe there is some truth in that. But you notice the circulation numbers haven't gone down that much. And while key members of the list have left us, they haven't made themselves inaccessible by any means. You can still ask Dr Williams and Bob C. questions if you need them. And new members who weren't here when they were will hear of them too. Have no fear, the first time someone recommends Bob Church's Chicken Gravy to a newbie, they will want to know "Who is this Bob Church?" And thanks to Sukie's cross-posting, Dr. Williams' esteemed advice is still available. Or you could join the other list. In the end, we are still here. Everyone reading this post has braved the flames and scrolled through the nasty posts and is still here. Here for the support, the advice, the friendly stories. Here for the family, their family and the FML family. And just like every family, there will always be people who dont get along, don't particularly like each other, even those who cause trouble just to cause trouble. But families stick together despite, they support each other, help each other however they can, share their joy and sadness, and that is what we are here for. To those who complain about the flaming, etc., I can understand your frustration, and you have the perfect forum here to vent it. But does it do any good? If the threat that Dr. Williams would leave didn't stop the flames, I doubt anything will. Undoubtedly, your post will just spark another little battle. So, to stop the cycle I say we just ignore the meanness. Don't respond, don't give the trouble makers the pleasure of seeing these little flames blossom into the conflageration of the FML. Whenever you read a post that really makes you mad, instead of posting how mad you are, post a lovely story of one of your ferrets. For example, my newest addition, Nietzsche, (which is easy to say, but a pain in the butt to type, by the way,) is doing SO well. It has been roughly two months since I rescued him from the utter negligence he called a home. He was filthy, so dirty my hands started itching from the dust on the hour long drive home. He was hungry, and being fed I'm not even sure what. He was alone, his owner had moved into a no pets apartment a month earlier, and left him with his 64 year old drunkard roommate. (A nice enough fellow, but hardly a responsible ferret owner.) This man, who affectionately called Nietzsche a "red-eyed polecat," told me proudly that he checked on Nietzsche every evening, giving him water and making sure he had food, and that he hadn't escaped from his cage. Which is quite an accomplishment for a man who seems to be barely able to keep himself alive, and has never had any experience with ferrets. But what I heard was, "Nietzsche is by himself all the time, locked in his cage, he is never bathed or played with, and he only sees a human once a day, when he is given not enough water and food." Nietzsche wore a collar for about the first five mintues I knew him. It was so tight, I had to cut it off, discovering a complete lack of fur underneath. (I removed this torture device before I even left the house where I picked him up.) Today, Nietzsche is asleep with Robin, his new found friend. All three of my boys are albinos, and now that Nietzsche no longer has an orange ring around his neck where his fur was growing in, I can hardly tell them all apart. He is eating Totally Ferret with wild abandon, and his ribs are no longer readily appearant. His tail has not recovered completely from the lack of baths. I am battling blackheads you would not believe. But he doesn't seem to mind. He comes to see me when I open the bedroom door, instead of hiding under the bed. He kisses me and snuggles with me when I'm sleepy. He is the most playful ferret of my whole bunch. Which suits Tasha and Robin just fine, but I think Mira and Cael, the old fogies, could do with a break every once in a while. But then I see them snuggling with Nietzsche in sleep, and know they like him. So today, I love the FML because I get to share with you my happiness that my boy Nietzsche is finally a happy, healthy ferret, who plays and kisses and snuggles and loves his new family. Yeah! Melissa Barnes http://www.geocities.com/lothruin Mira, Cael, Robin, Tasha and Nietzsche [Posted in FML issue 3395]