Sondra Braid organized & ran our only fundraiser in eight years of operation. She was a great supporter of Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary, & a very dear personal friend. She died last november, in South Korea, while on a teaching assignment. She was only 40 years old. Sondra`s parents were here from Canada for a visit.We had a most wonderful time! They got to see their "grandferret" Bear Baby, & I gave them a tour of the place. They got to see what I do here all day!!! They got to watch group after group come out to play, & they never tired of watching them. They saw some meds & special feedings etc. too, and asked lots of questions. (I love it when people are interested!) Sondra had a message for her parents to give to me----That I was the "most loving & compassionate person she had ever met. That she was so very proud of what we do for the fuzzies." When they gave me this message in person, at dinner, they also gave me a $5000. check in memory of Sondra. She had left instructions with them,"in case something happened"..... It was a pretty emotional moment, & we were pretty stunned. Lupron alone, was $5225 here, last year--and our vet bills were over $12,000--even with us doing the routine things like BG testing, fecals,fluids, & shots. This money was so muchly needed.(Mastercard loves us!!!) I am feeling some sense of relief, after getting these funds. What a wonderful thing to do. Mr. & Mrs. Braid left at about 8 P.M.--and I was sorry to see them go. Even from the grave, Sondra has come through for us...I miss her, so much.... Love, Zoo www.zoosferretsanctuary.com [Posted in FML issue 4943]