Some of the same people who wouldn't stand for criticism of Modern Ferret have nevertheless made snide comments about "Ferrets" magazine. "Ferrets" has published some of the same writers as Modern Ferret, so I'm not sure what remarks about bad writing are implying. There is an awful lot to be said for a magazine that keeps its contract with customers and delivers its product promptly. I'm imagining a new ferret owner who has subscribed to Modern Ferret, and another who chose Ferrets magazine. True, the second one isn't getting this month's "Mary's Page" or the "Ferreted Fairy Tale", but they ARE getting ferret information and they are getting it regularly, and that might really make a difference in their ferret's health or safety, which is the main idea behind an informative ferret publication (at least I thought so). Both ferret magazines have published reader testimonials, praising them for offering information that saved their ferret's life. People subscribe to magazines because they need and want information about a certain topic regularly and want to keep up on current issues, not because they hope to get a magazine "someday". Some Modern Ferret subscribers just want relevant, current information about FERRETS. In the last few issues, Modern Ferret is a magazine about PEOPLE who have ferrets, rather than being about ferrets. Some people may be OK with that and even like it, but it's not billed as a magazine about ferret-owners, so people who were expecting a magazine about ferrets have been disappointed. I know I was. Why isn't it OK to be disappointed with Modern Ferret?? When did it become this untouchable icon that no one can say a word against?? At least the subscribers of "Ferrets" magazine are still getting regular info and getting the product they paid for in a reasonable amount of time. According to its own readers it has saved ferrets' lives by alerting their owners to dangers, health hazards, and signs of illness and disease. They have ferret information and updates on health and care, which is the reason some people subscribe to a ferret magazine. I did not stop subscribing to Modern Ferret because Ferrets magazine came along. I stopped subscribing because Modern Ferret wanted more of my money for less and less of a magazine, that they would send to me when they got around to putting it together. That was not an arrangement I was willing to pay for. Fortunatately, I knew from past experience that delivery was intermittant and sometimes delayed extensively and that the content was slipping, and I could make an informed decision as to whether or not I wanted to accept that shaky promise. People who bought a new subscription in the last few months are disappointed, and they have a right to be. They were not given any reason to think that Modern Ferret was anything other than a professional product that would be delivered if they paid for it. I don't wish to "keep it going" on the FML, so close to Easter as well, but I thought "Ferrets" magazine deserved a little defense. Why does Modern Ferret's hiatus and decline in content call another magazine's motives and writing into question?? Hope all's well with everyone, and please have a happy and safe Easter! -Heather W. [Posted in FML issue 3737]