I know you are all very busy. But if as you read this you could pray that Maria-the half bald older ferret, with the gigantic vulva sticking out of her, come out of surgery alive and healthier? Surgery is Wed. morning. She has been dumped in her old age into a steamy hot window where she was burning alive. It was so hot here in Illinois, that the minute I walked outside, my glasses steamed up. There was no air conditioning I could feel in the store. It was stiffling. She appears so happy here. Mini Me has shown her how to get into the garbage and roll in it. This was passed down from Sunny Rhino Mudd to Lovely to Mini Me. And now Maria. Maria ate two saucers of Bob C. Chicken soup all on her own yesterday and today. She rolled in and burrowed in and kicked out the fresh kitty litter just like Sunny showed her. The ferrets just love her. She baths everyone while they try to sleep. She trots from room to room cavorting through tubes, leaping into mounds of blankets, scampering in and out of the childrens play house, brimming with dooks and curiosity, gaily dropping out little c shaped turds as she trots along. And last night, i took her to church. A young lady there held Maria in a baby blanket and rocked her and kissed her, and ran her fingers down Marias tiny,bald, brain -looking head: while talking about the struggles in her life, and how God has been there for her-even when she could not believe in HIm. Three times she said-Lisette knew I needed this tonight-to hold this little one. But it is not true. I did not know. Yet, there was Maria-blissfully sleeping in the arms of a distraught, concerned lady--easing her tension. Truly making a difference in someones day-simply by existing. In such a short time-she is in our lives. A part of our routine. A member of our community. Please ask God that the surgeon perform surgery to the best of his ability, and provide excellent post-op care for the few days after surgery, and that the "bubbles" showing up in the x-rays be something that can be seen and treated, and that Maria come out of this a healthier little ferret. In Gods name we pray for this little wonder that He has created. Amen. Lisette [Posted in FML issue 3474]