"Hi mom! I've missed you." "I've missed you too. How have you been?" "The other ferrets up here treat me well. They even let me play with their toys! But I have a question. Some ferrets up here didn't have very good parents. Their parents didn't care about them like you care about me. Was I worth it?" "What do you mean?" "Was it worth all the paper towels, the 'accidents', the money, was I worth the vet visits, the big room you had to give me, all the meals you had to prepare? Was I worth all the duck soup you made when I was sick, worth the medicine I spat out on your face, the puddles in the middle of the floor, and even the bites?" "You were worth all that--and more. You give back something you don't know you give, something I can't begin to describe to you. You, my baby, were worth it. Let me ask you something. Was I worth it? The times I scruffed you because you bit me, the times I wouldn't let you run away from home, the nail clippings and vet visits? Was the duck soup really that good?" "Yes, and I'm so glad you're here with me now. And I am glad that the other ferrets that didn't get to know what I know are up here dooking and dancing, enjoying themselves. They can now know what it's like to be taken care of. Thanks, mom." -Dedicated to all the ferret moms and dads out there. Krista and her five fuzzy kids:) Interested in saving the lives of animals? Visit http://www.veganoutreach.org/index.html or email me for more info. [Posted in FML issue 4973]