How the ELF Came to Be Long ago, but not so very long ago, a small mischievous fairy appeared. While most did not see her for what she was, someone certainly did, and called her as they saw her. She was an Elf! Hiding among us! Now this frisky little blonde lady er, Elf, blended in well enough in a crowd, but if you looked very closely, her tiny pointy ears gave her away. With all her elfin charm, she began to do things like teaching ferret loving humans how to do card exchanges, made calendars featuring fur stars, and even lured others into producing great events known as the Ferret Symposium. While often denying her Elf-hood, those who know her tried to determine what she was if she wasnt an elf. Dwarf? No. Midget? No. Troll? No. Pixie? No. And so, it remains a mystery, but there are those of us that do know exactly what she is. Anyway, back to my story Now this little Elf has conjured up a new way to help ferrets in need. She has determined that from time to time, ferret Emergencies occur, and the little ferrets and the kind humans that care for them need some extra help. Yes, Support Our Shelters helpsyou know, S.O.S.that wonderful group that helps little ferrets with things like food and other supplies and vet care, but they just cant help with other Emergency situations. Only through their Love for the ferrets do these humans care for the often sick and homeless fur children. Oh, they get by. But, now and then, something terrible strikes. Like the ruthless sisters Frances and Jeanne, and their naughty brothers Charley and Ivan. Or like when the hideous appliance gremlins attack. Weve all witnessed them! What if a tree were to fall through their roof or their car were to go to the Great Parking Lot in the Sky? Horrors! Thats when the kind hearted humans caring for all these homeless ferrets need Emergency help. What are we to do? Elf asked her friend, LindaFerret? "We need Funds to help these good people that provide food and Love and shelter for all these sweet ferrets during an Emergency." LindaFerret reached over and groomed Elfs ears, and comforted her. I dont know, but well find the Funds, somewhere... Elf went home and pondered the seriousness of the situation. She knew all the little ferrets needed an Emergency Love Fund to help the humans take care of them when things happen that are not expected. Elf asked LindaFerret what she thought about starting an Emergency Love Fund for the ferrets. LindaFerret was so excited she wardanced and fell right onto the computer keyboard. Together, they e-mailed ShelterMama to see if she thought it would work. ShelterMama thought it would be a wonderful idea and voted three raisins up! So, that is how the ELF came to be. One sweet lady er, Elf, thought we needed the Emergency Love Fund. [JY] [Posted in FML issue 4788]