I wanted to post again about the Black-footed Ferret Patches we still have available. I was going to post the usual stuff about how great this patch is - how it is one of Sharon Bearden's best designs yet! How all proceeds from the sale of the Patch go to help the Black-footed Ferret Recovery effort, and how they make wonderful Christmas gifts. They are such a rare and unique item. We all know there just isn't that much BFF stuff out there! And while all this stuff is most definitely true, that's not what this post is going to be about! This post is going to be about how I personally feel about the BFF Recovery Program. I care about all animals - not just ferrets. I care about all animals that we, as humans, have put onto the Endangered Species List, but maybe I feel a little more deeply about the BFF's because they are so much like our beloved fuzzies. Maybe I care about them a little more because of the incredible odds they have battled back from. And maybe I care about them a little more because I have been very fortunate to get to know some of the passionate people who are working to save these wonderful animals. This last weekend I was one of the few lucky people to be able to attend the Forum in the Fort. The highlight of this event was a trip to the Black-footed Ferret Breeding Facility in Fort Collins. In case you are not familiar with this facility, this is where they breed the BFF's with hopes that the babies will eventually be able to be released back into the wild. It is an amazing facility and an amazing program. While I was there, I was very fortunate to be able to help release a little female into one of the Re-Introduction pens. This pen is a place much like what she will experience in the wild and she will spend the next couple months learning what she needs to know to be able to survive in the wild. This was also the first time those precious little paws felt dirt beneath them. I just cannot tell you how amazing it was to see this little thing popping in and out of holes, smelling the brisk air and feeling the warmth of sunshine for the first time. It is something I will not forget for a very, very long time. I know there are so very many "causes" to donate to right now and every last one of them is more than worthy! But the Black-footed Ferret patches are only $4.00 plus .50 shipping. It is such a small amount and such a wonderful program. All of the proceeds will go to Prairie Wildlife Research. You can check them out by going to: http://www.prairiewildlife.org/. Please make your check payable to the IFC -- International Ferret Congress and send to: Judy Cooke, 110 Jer-Be-Lou Blvd, Panacea, FL 32346 If you have more than $5.00 laying around, go to the Prairie Wildlife Research site and check out their BFF adoption program! If you don't have any money at all to donate, you can still help! There are millions of people out there who don?t have a clue what a BFF is or why they were pushed to the brink of extinction. On the plane ride home, I sat beside a woman who wanted to talk to pass the time. She told me all about her weekend, so I told her about mine. When I told her I had just went to the BFF Breeding facility, she said "Oh -- my brother has one of them!" I gently laughed and went on to explain the difference between a domestic ferret and a BFF. It turned into a wonderful conversation and I deplaned knowing that one more person had been enlightened! So... if you have no money, you can still help! You can talk! Many of us see ourselves as educators. We're out there in the pet stores, at ferret shows and events, and even just talking with family and friends. When you're talking about your sweet, precious babies, why not throw out a tidbit or two about their distant cousin! Animals all over the world are in danger of becoming extinct -- but the BFF is right here in our backyard! You can help! Learn about them! Talk about them! Buy a Patch!! Judy Cooke Co-Director International Ferret Congress <www.ferretcongress.org> [Posted in FML issue 5043]