I have so many emotions screaming through my body right now I can honestly say the only thing I know that I am feeling is numbness. I know the nightmares are going to come, but before they do I want to pass along a couple smiles. I watched a fuzzy who had never seen anything except a filth encrused wire floor walk on a fleece blanket for the first time. After we had pulled all the kids out of their wire hell we took a step back and looked in my Rav. There were ferrets smelling fresh air and liking the concept. Some had already fallen asleep with their blanket tucked between their arms hugging the first comfort they have ever been introduced to. When we arrived back at the shelter I walked into a picture so beautiful I almost started crying at the joy. We had managed to get a temporary foster home for every kid already at the shelter (so the shelter was empty of all four legged babies for a split second of time). The entire room had been transformed. All our multi leveled cages were now single level cages. We had managed to scavenge (thanks to some donations) everything we needed for the first critical day. Every house had its own blankets, hammocks, litter, food and water. The kids heaven was all setup and ready for its new occupants. It tooks us a couple ferrets getting settled in before we got the routine of processing the new comers down to a fine art. Then we had a fine assembly line in action. Every ferret got assigned a number, its picture taken, sexed, nails trimmed, treated for ear mites and a quick bath to get a couple layers of grime off. Then the real magic began.. The ferrets were introduced to their own cage. Water bottles filled with fresh, clean water were instantly enjoyed, then the glorious sounds of ferrets crunching Totally Ferret could be heard. Even the pair of boys that were at the far back of that hell hole without any food managed to eat food on their own. As a matter of fact once they started they did not stop eating and drinking for at least an hour. I even needed to fill up their food bowl again before we had finished processing all the ferrets. Before I packed up my gear to head back home (and give my kids a big hug for sanity). We cut up a roast that had been cooked specifically for the new babies and made sure everyone had a special house warming treat to welcome them home. I know this is only the beginning step of these guys road to recovery. These guys are going to need loads of tlc, food, litter, bedding and vet care. However, the important thing for today is they are out of their hell in a comfortable bed with food and water. Thank you so much for every one who has helped so far. We are not quite sure what tomorrow holds but we made it through day 1, with everyones help we can start to tackle days 2 & 3.. Thanks Auntie Paige Ferret Aid Society www.ferretaid.org ps. There are a million horrible things I want to share from today and that condition the kids were found in.. but thats where nightmares come in.. right now I need to concentrate on the positive and share the smiles [Posted in FML issue 4724]