Bob, I really, really enjoy your posts, and I'm sure the majority of FML'ers do as well. I print out a lot of them for my vets, some of whom are/were convinced that commercial pet foods are better than anything home made. I don't always sent out acknowledgement for the people who post such good information to the FML, to BIG, or to you... I'm sure if everybody does, the fml and your mailbox would be overflowing! that's one of our problems, I guess, we take these things too much for granted. I'll like to take this opportunity to echo your amen to BIG for doing such a great job. I'm have just submitted two papers to conferences, it took me weeks to get them ready. I have some idea of how much work goes into your posts and I'm amazed as how fast you can produce them. I would like to tell you how much (more than a 100 ferrets, if you want a number) I appreciate your taking the time to provide such well document and referenced posts for us. and ask other people on the list to do the same. my ferrets sent their appreciation for the chicken gravy as well. for the petty, close-minded attitudes of a tiny minority, I hope you will be able to ignore them. it is harder to do when it is your work and there is so much emotion invested in them, but petty people are not worth the effort of worrying about. if a post is not worth replying to, don't reply to it (I hope this post is!). there will be those of us who understand why. and you can't change the opinion of everybody on earth. I'm sorry about your loss of a loved one, and loss isn't something anybody finds easy to deal with. one of the things that helped me continue my work after I lost Storm was when a friend suggested that I dedicate my work to her. I don't know if you do the same. I look forward to when you finish your series on caloric restriction. so those of you who would like to see the series end as well, please express your interest for Bob! // *************************************** // Selina, Sprite, Sand, Bear, Dart & Clef // in spirit - Birch, Dief & Storm // http://www.cgl.uwaterloo.ca/~ssiu [Posted in FML issue 4128]