Hi all. It is with a heavy heart that I announce my first fuzzie loss. Babette belonged to my sister, in Michigan. She was a very loving gorgeous ferret (aren't they all?). Babette recently developed what I took to be insuloma. She also had a tumor on her tail. I kick myself in the ass, for not taking her home with me this summer, when I visited my sister and saw how sick she was. Before anyone goes off on her though, please understand that she is a single mom, who has not only been raising her 3 teenage daughters by herself - but has an exhusband who is a schmuck and won't pay his child support. She has worked her whole life, sometimes, 2 or three jobs at a time, to try and make ends meet. She "rescued" Babette from some seriously mean children, who were swinging her around on the end of a rubber band. She did the best she could, with what she had. What makes me even more angry - is that when I discovered Babette was ill, I went out on a limb - and made a plea to the Ferret association in Grand Rapids Michigan. I explained to Dee Gage that my sister had no money - but this ferret needed help. She provided none. I repeatedly contacted her - asking if there was a vet who would allow payments, or allow me to pay - whatever I could - and was met with "sorry" every time. It kills me to know that there is a "association" out there, in her town that COULD HAVE helped her - yet chose not to. I still don't know why. Shame on you Dee - for belonging to an organization that CLAIMS to care, yet offered `O help - not even information on a vet who would work with us. Babette was only 4 or 5 years old. She COULD have had a chance, if someone there had a heart. Unfortunately - noone did and she is now at the Rainbow bridge. I became laid off in September and had no money to send her. I blame not only the Grand Rapids Ferret Association, but myself too. Perhaps if I had taken her home here to Albuquerque - I could have found a vet who would have helped me. In fact, I am sure of it. Out here, in the West, it appears people happen to CARE. You know, I am sorry to everyone - for going off like this. But I am so angry that Dee Gage and her association REFUSED to help this one ferret. It would have been a different story perhaps, if my sister didn't have so much on her plate. If she had an ex who would help with the bills, so that she didn't have to work 2 and 3 jobs just to feed her kids. She took this ferret - knowing that if she left her - those kids would have killed her. That is the kind of woman she is. She loved her and did her best to care for her, with what limited resources she had. Shame on you Dee Gage. Shame on you Grand Rapids Ferret Association. I promise you, I won't forget this one. My heart is broken - along with my nieces, who can't understand why NOONE would even TRY to help. Sandee, please, scoop Babette up and give her a big ferrety hug from her Aunt Kim. Please, also - introduce Babette to Sinbad (the cat w/no name). He will care for her now. She absolutely adored cats - (another personality disorder?) and her favorite treat was strawberry snack in a tube. I pray that she knows how much she is loved here still - and that she will wait for us at the bridge. I pray that she will know that I TRIED what I could, from where I lived. I pray that her fur will be long and luxurious - and that she will never again, know the pain - not only of cruelty of those children who Christine rescued her from, but indifference from people who were SUPPOSED to make a difference. I pray that SHE can forgive US - for failing her. Sorry for the long post guys - I am really hurting here. I guess it hurts worse, knowing that I tried, and if someone on the other end had picked it up for me, she would still be here. Hug your furries. You never know when and if you may lose that chance. Kim [Posted in FML issue 3985]