Dear FMLers: We just put up an article about the high cost of ferrets. I think it's a very good wake-up call for people who have not been planning ahead (I can say that since Eric conceived and wrote most of it). There are also some interesting numbers we've come up with from our newsletter list -- they may surprise you. You can read the article at: http://www.ferretnews.com/issues/ferret-news-54.html I urge anyone who has not considered the high cost of ferrets to read this article. Even if you have considered it -- you should read the article. So far we've been getting some good feedback on it, and several people suggested I let all of you know about it, too. On a personal note: I haven't posted here in a long time. Since Christmas we've lost two of our three ferrets. Koosh died a week after surgery due to a perforated intestine (it was fine when the vet did the surgery). We put Trixie to sleep a few weeks after she had one kidney removed as well as an adrenalectomy. Her remaining kidney just couldn't do the work despite subQ fluids several times a day. We now have only one ferret: Gabby. We're spoiling the heck out of her. Eric and I are grieving deeply over our losses, especially Koosh because he was only 5 years old and otherwise very healthy. I've been working on non-ferret-related things recently -- mostly as a means of rehab from my depression. You can see what I've been up to by reading my blogs (see my sig). For anyone who has recently lost a ferret, you have my most heartfelt sympathy. I hope everyone's ferrets are doing well. --Mary & the Fuzz ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary R. Shefferman & the lone Fuzzy, Gabrielle Online journal - www.modernferretblog.com/mary Other online journal - www.blog.depressionplace.com/ Sign up! www.ferretnews.com [Posted in FML issue 4431]