Nine months ago, a Petco manager in Massachusetts decided that a ferret in their store was too old to sell. Translation: Not cute enough? Not tiny and helpless looking enough? Not sickly looking? Are these the attributes that drive people to purchase ferrets from pet stores? True, this ferret was none of the above. He was a strong, muscular, big eared, bright eyed Albino boy. Full of love, life and childlike innocence...and well yeah, some ear mites too...big surprise. Those words still ring in my head to this day. "Too old to sell." In fact, this boy was JUST old enough TO sell at the ripe OLD age of 12 weeks. Imagine that. Washed up at 12 weeks. Is this not the acceptable age to be taken from the mom? I can only imagine how many weeks he spent in the display case before he was deemed "Too old" to sell. On monday, July 7, this sweet boy, our Albi turned 1 year old. We celebrated his birth and rescue from Petco Penitentiary complete with cake, presents, ferretone shooters and a good game of hide the goody. His birthday pic will be on the next set of magnets. My roommate and I have nicknamed him bed head for the way his fur tufts all around when he wakes up in the morning. Rescued by the loving heart of April Armstrong, Albi came to me, transported through Judith White and her husband Eric) who, incidentally fell as hard for him as I did. April rushed in to spring him, got him vet checked, treated and sent him down the road to me with a load of supplies. I had a home lined up for Albi...and then it fell through. Sam the cat quickly became attached to him. They are best buddies and Albi loves everyone and gets his feelings hurt quite easily if someone is not nice to him. He has one of the most precious personalities you could ever imagine. Thank you again April, Judith and Eric.......and shame on you Petco for thinking no one could fall in love with this beautiful, precious being. Kim Fox Kim Fox Animal Communicator Director of Somethin Up My Sleeve Rescue [Posted in FML issue 4205]