Hi friends, I got this letter fro my old Bud Casper. He moved out a while ago to live with a human or two and some other animals in his hospice home. He seems to be having a rough week but I will try to help him out-- that's what us mascots are for! Here is his letter: ..... Dear Jerimiah, Hi. This is Casper.... remember me the handsome silver kid ( only when I was at the shelter I was mostly white and my hair was sparse) now I'm silver and have lots of hair. Well I came to a hospice home. The same one Brodie was at. Well things have been going pretty good. I like my room and my roommates, they are real old cats. The twins were born feral so they don't like people very much except Mama, but, they do like me I'm NEVER in a cage anymore unless I want to go in to take a nap. Mama is kinda strict though but Dad is a real soft touch. All you have to do is give him "just the right kind of look" and he melts. He's good for all sorts of stuff until Mama comes out and says NO MORE. She is worried because my blood sugar is on the low side. So what! I was brought up on junk food,and I've made it this far. Sometimes a kid just has to have a sweet or you know you"ll never make it. I suppose with all the good things I should not complain buy I knew you'd understand so that's why I'm writing. Today THE LACTAID BOX WENT DRY. This has NEVER happened before. I know she has been sick for almost two weeks but HOW COULD SHE LET THIS HAPPEN?? She does sputter about it being "spensive its over $3 a box -- you don't spose she is trying to cut it out ? Do you? WE NEED OUR LACTAID to drink. Also she has been cutting my Foamy Fries into eight ( mind you eight ) small pieces , she cuts the cheweezels up too. Well I've tried to look real pathetic and I've flat ferreted every time she comes around. Finally she went to the store and got Lactaid. I really did not know how I'd survive until she got home. When she opened the door to my room I ran up to hall to the kitchen then I just flopped. I finally had a whole bowl of Lactaid and a bowl of ferret food. Now I can take a nap without my tummy grumbling . What I need to know Jerimiah is how to make sure this does not happen again? It really can't be too 'spensive we only use about three boxes a week, as we all drink it. Please say Hi to all the kids. I'm thinking of all of you. So long for now, Casper ....... Hi Casper- Your shelter mascot Jerimiah here!! It sounds like you is having a bit of dilemma there! Must be nice not living in a cage house though! Well you know these human folks is PRETTY STRANGE beings sometimes. I jest can't always figure them out.... but this is why I try my hardest to teach you's all how to climb the shelves and help yourself out. Remember the Cheerio's caper? And remember the ferretone steal-- you DO remember how to open the bottle right? I showed you that specially several times! Seems these critters just don't understand that we will surely pass away without those foods we crave. I never had that box Lactaid stuff so I am not sure what I am missin' here-- hmmmm. but if it is that special to you-- I guess we are being deprived of one of the pleasures of ferretdom! I will have to work on this! As far as the Foamy fries go-- that is very sad. everyone knows you need the whole fry to feel like a ferret. I am gonna put in an emergency order to Santa Paws to see if'n we can get you a stash of Foamy Fries. We only get them one day a week here -- I am really trying hard to get into the stash-- but it is outside the shelter rooms-- don't you just hate that!? We is doing okay here-- bet you just forgot to ask right. Ol Disney gal has funny zipper on her belly this week, but she is back in the shelter rooms. We is having a Cheerios shortage here-- MOm says no one sent any for a while-- grumble , grumble-- well the truth is Snickers she learned how to knock the box over and we all had a dandy time eating 'til our bellies got big-- but now there is a Cheerio shortage-- life isn't the same is it when the pleasures are gone. Phew- I hope the Indians send us some for the thank "full" day! I am looking forward to it cause we get 2 raisins that day-- you remember don't you? Well the folks here decided the windows are too drafty -- and Mom is tired of the blanket drapes which don't let us see sunshine on windy days-- so they want to get us some fancy windows that let the light in and keep the wind ou5- imagine that! no colds then! There is some neat stuffs on ebay -- and I will be sure to tell you when the new winders get here-- Maybe I can watch for Santa out of them with no blankies in the way! HUgs to you Casper -- you take care now. I will be over to do a 'spection there soon- and whip that hospice Mom Judy into fine shape for you! It's the least I can do :) Your friend Jerimiah! Shelter ebay auctions are here: http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems &userid=creativekolor&include=0&since=-1&sort=2&rows=25 [Posted in FML issue 3592]