My name is "A 'Lil Bit of Hope". I asked my Mommy to type this for me. I am a very special ferret~my Mommy tell me so all the time. You see, I have something called ADV. It means I could get very sick at any time. Right now I'm not passing this disease to anyone, but, many ferrets just like me do. They have to live all alone. It's not their fault they have this ADV-why are they being punished? Anyway, My Uncle Kris and Auntie Mary from MKARESQ shelter decided that they wanted to make us ferrets feel special this X-mas. They put up a Giving Tree for ADV ferrets like me where we could get Secret Santas. It's on their site at www.mkaresq.com/adv1.html. Of course my Mommy posted my pic and bio. Well, the very next day this nice lady named Phyllis adopted me! She sent me all kinds of great presents. A new sleepy sack, and some great toys, which I have sufficiently stashed into my favorite hiding places so my brothers and sisters won't find them. It was sooooooo very nice of her. Made my Mommy cry. I think she liked it though. She kept holding me so very tight and telling me how special I am. Now, 2 days later, this other really cool package came. We don't know who it's from. Just some fellow ferrets who call themselves "The Crew of Merry Mayhem". They live someplace called Indiana. They sent me a really cool letter, some toys, treats, and a new red boot! Mine was getting kinda old. Well, that got stashed immediately! And I ate Craisens 'til I burst! Yummy!! What a great Xmas this is-my best ever! And then today, My Aunt Kat sent me a beautiful, warm, hand-crocheted, red snuggly sack. Red's my favorite color ya know!! How did she know that? Mommy told me that she made each ADV fuzzy one!! Wow! That's a lot of work!! I bet just as much love went into each one. Thank-you Uncle Kris and Auntie Mary from all us ADV kids~I love you~you've made my Christmas very merry! Thank-you Auntie Phyllis, Aunt Kat, and The Crew of Merry Mayhem for all my special gifts. My Mommy tells me I'm so special~now I know I am! Love and Gooks, Hope ***NOTE FROM HOPE'S MOM: Please adopt one of these kids. It's made our Xmas so very special. I am so deeply touched by all the kindness. [Posted in FML issue 3628]