Ya know??!! Even though I was born and raised in California. Lived there until 14 years ago... I fell in love with Georgia(even though I said I'd never cuz' I wanted to go home!!) I absolutely love it here and will never go back Even though I came from there, I'm beginning to think Ca. must be in a completely different solar system!!!! Moving here was the best thing I ever did.( not just because of legal ferrets) I just don't get it. Is it honestly believed, that all of the other ferrets, in ALL(as in LOTS OF, as in all those living in almost every state in the United States, happy and healthy BTW!!.) that all ferrets in the U.S. AND in Europe, that those very same ferrets that make the ferret one of the MOST fulfilling pets a human could ever have, that if those ferrets crossed over the California border, turn into wild,crazy,rabid,blood thirsty, ferral BEASTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????? Excuse me, but there are hoardes of ferral cat families, why do they not ban cat ownership?! Or dogs that have bec ome viscious and hunt in packs, due to being left in some alley to fend for themselves?? Are dogs banned. I have personally had the terrifying experience of being followed by 3 wild dogs when I was a teenager in California. Luckily I got to my ride before they could do anything. BOTH species have liniage going back to prehistoric, meat eating, killing machines! ( I believe this was one of the arguments, ferrets were " wild animals ") I truly believed, that since Gov. S. had had the honor and the experience of working with a ferret, that he would have seen them for what they really are, intelligent, beautiful,affectionate, AND GENTLE creatures. Quess I as wrong. Does he not know of the many "underground" ferret owners and Vets. Has he or anyother Californian not gone into a PetSmart or other pet store that devotes an entire aisle for FERRET SUPPLIES!!???? I never thought that Ca. legalization of ferts would NOT pass. I guess that puts me in the same state as Gov. S. afterall, a state of La la Land. But you can bet your mitts... um boots, that I will be on that bandwagon the next time this goes around. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley., Ca. Quess you could say I was a true "Valley Girl". After I married, I lived in another valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Ca. It was from here I left my home state to start a new life in Georgia. Although I thought Georgia was beautiful, there was no consolling me then. We had to go for my husband's job. But now it looks as if there will be another trip to yet another valley. This being called the Valley of California. There in lies an entire valley of people who have never had the education as to the joys and wonders of ferret hood. They have never held a ferret, nor have they kissed a ferret and get tickled with thier tiny whiskers They have not yet recieved enough experience regarding ferrets to start gathering planks, planks they will need to build the bridge to cross that valley. Hopefully, they will, and that bridge they will name.... LEGALIZATION. NOW, a thought swirls in my mind. A thought which in years past, being away from my family, and my husband's family, spending holidays with just the four of us in our family here in Georgia, and longing so much to go back "home", a thought I had NEVER thought I'd think,but even a little homesickness goes a long way (Don't have it anymore!). My ferrets, my fuzzies, my fuzz-butts, are a very large part of my life. Yes, I love my husband and my "kids" (all grown-up now!!). But my ferrets, who now own my heart, right up there with my family, touch a part of my heart and give me a feeling that is inexplicable to non-ferret people. My ferrets are my therapy as I am handicapped to a degree and live in constant, daily pain. When I talk to them and touch them. When I watch them play, it puts the pain on the back burner for a moment. MOST OF ALL, the people that I have come to know because of ferrets, have been the greatestest, most wonderful friends I have EVER had the priviledge to have in my entire life. Now as I think about what has happened in California, I feel so sorry for them. They are missing out on SO much. And as to that thought that was swirling in my mind, seemingly odd coming from one whose roots are in that sunny state of Ca, "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there!" Sue & Crew Da Boys.....Sammy, Chance & Storm The Girls....Oscar, Nikki, & Annie I feel better now,thanks! [Posted in FML issue 4652]