I was wondering if some of the people here that are very harsh and critical of people giving up their ferrets because they are having a baby, if they have ever 1) been a woman and 2) had a baby while 3) taking care of ferrets? You know every time someone posts that they want to find their ferrets a good home cuz they are having a baby ... I cringe, cuz I know the mail that will ensue ... and know that the mail they get personally will be 10x worse than what we ever see here posted on the FML. I thank God these people are on the FML ... so when they give up their babies ... there is a far greater chance they will find not a good, but a great home for them. I'm glad that despite the impending onslaught of critical posts, they still post to find a good home for their ferrets. I personally have never given up a ferret, dog, cat, horse, etc., cuz of having a baby. I have gone through pregnancy and raising children as well as tend to the responsibilities I had with animals. But I did give up some small animals right before my breakdown and hospitalization years ago. I recognized that for whatever reasons the animals were or would be in jeopardy at the time. My plants were all dying, and the animals although they didn't' look bad ... I knew if the plants were dying, the animals could be next even if it didn't seem like much was wrong at the time. Ya know? Now having a baby isn't like getting sick. But in a way it can be dually stressful. Some recognize by the middle or end of your pregnancy if you are overwhelmed and can do it or not. Some people have babies like its nothing. I see them go to the grocery store, baby in carrier, other tiny ones by their side like it was nothing. But others, just one new baby is absolutely life altering ... and they have no time for themselves much else taking care of animals. I see them panting in the elevator holding their baby, bent over ... looking at me in bewilderment of how I could have had two! I"m not saying its right to give them up (ferrets or pets). I'm just saying you know ... gosh what am I saying? I guess I'm saying I remember how darn hard it was when I had my first baby. How I was just a total spaz and had no time for anything at all. I saw there were mothers that were even way more overwhelmed than me. I saw it a lot. And I know there is no way they would be able to care for anything else in their lives ya know? So in those cases ,,, I kinda understand and I'm glad they seem to care so much about their ferrets and where they are going. I kinda wish others would focus on helping more than criticizing you know? I mean you can't change that they are pregnant. You can't change their mindset and what they will do most of the time. There may be other reasons for giving up their ferrets that are equally important to them. Perhaps they recognize they aren't the most vigilant of people ... and would not be able to adequately watch both baby's and ferret's safety together. Perhaps they are scared to death of baby getting bad allergies for whatever reasons. Perhaps there are time schedules to consider. Who knows. And I'm rambling..... just thoughtful today. I do not wish to open a can or worms, or to start some old FML debate. You know me... I'm Wolfy, and not into that. I was just thoughtful ... and was hoping in reading this... some others would also be thoughtful. :) Wolfy Please visit: http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/ for information on ferret deafness: http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/deaf.html [Posted in FML issue 3576]