Happy Valentines Day to all you ferret lovers! According to the story I heard, a man called Valentine was performing marriages for Roman Soldiers and their beloveds, and spreading the word of God, way back when.. He was arrested and threatened with death if he did not stop. He was stoned and beheaded for refusing to bow to this demand. But he had followers who continued on in the name of Jesus. And the church later declared Valentine a saint. So today on Valentines day, we celebrate marriage, and honor our spouse, and remember with love our friends and family and all those we appreciate... This day obviously includes all of our ferrets. I am greeted when I walk in the house, and when I awake in the morning with kisses, nips, scratches, and snuffling noses. What a high comes from sharing my life with these precious individuals. And what a day to remember BIG. Happy Valentines Day BIG. Without this man...many of us would never have met on-line and formed the years of friendship that I so very much appreciate. Before the FML, no one understood my love for ferrets. No one understood my pain when one of my babies died. We are all so blessed to have this man in our lives. Through him, who knows how many ferrets have been rescued, or found homes. Who knows how many shelter would have hung on as they have with their shoe string budget and heart as wide as the sky without the money raised here. What committment and vision this man has. Ferret MaGAzine now writes about SOS and the people who form it, and the FML. We can and have collectively make a difference in the lives of many ferrets. We vote. We write. We make calls. We raise money. We go to court. We duplicate transcripts. And I believe that we HAVE collectively performed some of the most unselfish acts I have ever witnessed. Troy Lynn and the thousands of dollars she spent out of her own pocket to organize the rescue of the Utah ferrets always comes to my mind when I picture the person that deserves honor and thanks. Then the door of my mind opens, and names of so many other FML ferret saviors rush out. I wish to thank all of you for YOUR help over the years. I have learned so much from so many of you. And your friendship means more than I could convey in any writing. It took many months after finding the FML to figure out how to get on it and write anything. It was like looking into the window of a home filled with laughter, insight, warmth, sharing, friendship, and love. But no one could talk to me. I will never forget wanting SO badly to belong to THIS group........the FML. My car is repaired, I can turn my head now, and the damage from the flood from the broken water pipe has been handled on a rudimentary level. Thank you for those of you who wrote to be of help and to share. St. Valentiine would be proud of all this group has accomplished...look at the rescues that have taken place. Look at all the fund raising to help shelters. Look at the knowledge we all build here. Look at how we are changing the public view of ferrets through magazines, television, ferret shows, radio, and just showing off our own little ones. And what sport do my ferrets play Mistress Sukie?? Why, they make sport of me, of course. Every day, rain or shine. And I love it. Thank you for letting me be a part of all this. It is an honor. [Posted in FML issue 4788]