I met Sondra Braid on a ferret board, years ago. She quickly became one of this sanctuary`s greatest supporters--and a good friend.We had many phone conversations, & sent many emails back & forth, during the last few years. Sondra was currently teaching English as a second language in South Korea, but we kept touch via email, on a regular basis. I just received an email from Sondra`s sister. Sondra died on Monday, Nov. 15th of complications with pneumonia. I am sitting here in a state of shock. I am so sorry-- My God--I just can`t believe this... Only MONTHS ago, she & Billy took the 17 hour drive to meet us, & bring Bear Baby to us. We had agreed to take Bear Baby, & Casey Angel Cutie Pie, in the event of Sondra`s death. She was very concerned about her health--and wanted her babies to have the perfect forever home, if she couldn`t be there any more. She called, on July first or second, with the bad news that Casey Angel Cutie Pie had died, and that Bear Baby was grieving so badly he was refusing to eat. Sondra was beside herself -- and wondered if we would be willing to take Bear Baby a bit sooner than origionally planned.She knew she was in no position to get another ferret, but that Bear Baby needed company.It nearly broke her heart to give him up--but she knew he`d be happy here. She & Billy arrived with Bear Baby on July 4th, and I am so lucky I got to meet her in person.She was only able to stay a few days, as she was job hunting, at the time. Bear Baby has thrived here, and loves his play group, & running the room. He is such a sweet boy. Sondra realized the amount of work involved in running a ferret sanctuary such as ours. She offered moral support--and comfort, when we suffered losses. She donated to help us fund a seperate cooling system just for the ferrets, in the event of a power loss. She contributed towards their new linoleum floor. A couple years ago, she had a wonderful fundraiser for us. When she worked at the prison, she talked the inmates into crocheting items for a Christmas sale. She also called our local newspaper, and they wound up doing a full, front page story about our sanctuary! Sondra`s enthusiasm for life was amazing. She spread joy, wherever she went. And when she cried, the whole world felt sad. I can never begin to tell you the impact she has had on my life, and all the other lives she touched. Bear Baby has a beautiful new coat,as a result of the lupron shot I gave him. I`m so sorry I didn`t get a picture off to Sondra in time for her to see it. My sympathy to her family--and also to the rest of us, who have suffered such a loss... Love, Zoo www.zoosferretsanctuary.com [Posted in FML issue 4700]