I guess, i had better clarify my previous post. I am not going to all the petstore to rescue the baby ferrets in them. I REALLY WISH THAT THEY WOULD STOP SELLING THEM, myself. The majority of my ferret family, consists mostly of unwanted ferrets, period. What other way can it be presented? They were picked up from the Humane Society, dropped of @ my home, or found @ the petstore as give aways. Yes, i have purchased a few cuties, before...but they are all treated equally, just like the children i would welcome into my home had my husband had children by a previous marriage (if he did). I don't have any specials, i love them all equally and am becoming more and more dedicated to making their life on this earthly plain as comfortable, fulfilling and joyous as i can possibly afford and handle. Even resorting to eliminating people furniture for pet furniture??? We don't get much company here anyway and love me, love my ferrets is my motto. I don't adopt out, once they are in my home, they are mine. My husband is a very soft hearted man, as well as he can be cold and calculated, just try him sometime. He went with his heart rather than his head, with Zsa Zsa, and Eva. He even knew that i banned he and my daughter from entering that pet store!!! Petland (Racine, Wisconsin) I am currently reading Animal Grace, written by an animal advocate, who writes of all that we do with animals, what we subject them too, and probably including our beloved ferrets ( i don't know that much about Marshall Farms or any other, institutes), but i can READ!! Always have my nose buried in a book or a magazine when i can find the time (bathroom reader :-) ). If any or all of you are really interested in what we do in the name of scientific research, try reading it sometime. I was the one who suggested Kindred Spirits too.... Animal Grace, spells out to us what we do with many of the animals who have given of their life in the name of science, in testing institutes, for cosmetic products, household cleaners, etc...I don't wear makeup...don't like the layered feeling on my face...but look around you sometime, and think of the animals that have sacrificed their lives, in the name of beauty? or for that matter, the cleaner, fresher home....i may appear to be a fanatic, but i look @ all these wonderful furry little 4 legged creatures, that so lovingly wait for me to get home from work, to bestow kisses upon my face, patiently wait for their yummy recipe, or even a treat or 2 (Crimson comes to mind, no kisses, mommy, but can i have my treat?) When you are shopping for that winter coat, this year, look @ the furs surrounding the hoods of some of the finer? womens jackets, and think about where that came from. (The only use i can think of for a human skin, was that of a gruesome Ed Gein) a native of my state of Wisconsin.) The rabbit fur lined gloves we will be wearing to keep our fingers warm, in the cold winter days. Even the wool ones, which animal did that come from? They feed us, they keep us warm, and they love us unconditionally! They are touted as healers, they have turned a stray soul around, and helped a with drawn child, brought a smile to the face of a forgotten elderly person in nursing homes...the list is endless. Animal Grace, also embraces the fact that animals are just as important in this web of life as we humans? are. Another good, book, not written about, but in a round about way, related to animals, is; Luna (about the redwood and the woman who lived in her, to save her), when we destroy all the forests, where will all the animals go? Julia (Butterfly) Hill I am not the most prolific writer, but i think that i can get my point across when i need, to...EVEN @ WORK! Ask my manager sometime...i work in the jewelry department of a local department store. I don't say much but i have a memory like an elephant, and elephants never forget??? I try to respect others, and sometimes even i get out of line, but that is because i am human, and prone to making mistakes throughout this life of mine. i admit i am also selfish, if i am to lose one of my bleoved animals, i would rather lose them in their sleep, with out pain...quietly... I had to make one of the hardest decisions ever, in my life, to "put my beloved, prescious Odysseus to sleep", he was so ill...to this day, nearly 2 months later, it still tears my heart apart! I had only had him 18 months!!! he was all of about 7-8 years old, too...he wasn't a baby, but i loved him!!! Me n Odie, we have a bond between us. Just like i have with all of my furry little ones... I cannot even go in the Humane Society, because, it is too hard for me to look @ all those faces, and want to take them all home, where would i put them??? I live in a teensy home, all of more than 900 sq. ft, but less than 1000. When we moved here, we went to the Humane Society, and i walked out in tears, for the looks on some of those faces, i swore i would never go back there, it was too painful..the next time i went, was to save the lives of Odysseus and Samson, and the same day, Sadie and Jasmine came home with me, and a return trip to save Aphrael and Flute...only a few names of the many furbutts that i now have. Please pardon this long post, i just had to get a few things off my "chest?". Sometimes the easiest way is for me to sit down and put it here... Thank you all for your love, support and understanding. Sincerely Donna, Bandit, Zeus, Jalepeno, Crimson, Clover, Hera, Athena * (angeled), Samson, Odysseus * (angeled), Sadie, Jasmine, Fenris, Frey, Aphrael, Flute, Theodore Edward Bear, Freya, Blossom, Puma, Frack, Prometheus, Romulus, Remus, Epimetheus, Lily, Poppy, Binky, (Jupiter & LB, current fosters?/or forgottens?) Newbies, Zsa Zsa & Eva [Posted in FML issue 3529]