Hi all!! It is my opinion.., (and key word here is OPINION) that there is always three sides to every story. Their side, The other side - and the truth. I know that in the past, I have (Lord forgive me) - sometimes told a story - that was more "polished" than the whole truth actually was, so as not to have any "bad light" exposed to my beautiful unsunburned skin. I think at some point, we all have done something like that. Now - moving forward, towards dangerous territory, where I am sure the sharks are swimming, just waiting for a piece of my scorched flesh to fall into their toothy little mouths......Do I agree with what Jennifer did? Who cares? It wasn't my place then, and it certainly isn't my place now to say. Jennifer - on the same thought though - you have to understand how this "looks" to other people. Again - remember - we are all DIFFERENT. The way you described your situation - and then went on to slam dunk the shelters - it was, well - a bit difficult for some folks to understand, much less agree with you on. When you took Phoebe, you agreed to keep her. Now - we all know the reasons that you couldn't, and we do understand. But what YOU need to understand - is how the Shelter(s) see's it. As in most shelters, they are overworked, unpaid. It generally takes a special kind of person to do this for ferrets. It takes special kind of people to even be OWNED by ferrets. Our love swing - and life swing - is for these delicate little bundles of love. And we pick our "favorites" - and special ones too. Maybe Phoebe was a ferret shelter persons favorite. Maybe they thought you were her forever Mom. It may have been super hard to let her go to you - but they "knew" that you would give her a forever home. And then. Poof. Phoebe's back. They listen to your explanation. They feel your pain. They sympathize with you. But then, a little while down the line - you go back and ask them for another one......you explain your side, again. Then they do what I would do. I would not let you adopt another fuz zy - until you could show me you were really ready this time. You said that Phoebe needed too much time and had so many medical costs - that you couldn't do it anymore. And we all understand that, honest, we do. BUT Jen, what you need to remember is that any ferret, be they old, or young - do NOT COME WITH A HEALTH GUARANTEE. You need to make sure you can truely handle another fuzzy, the costs, the time, etc - if this one should get sick. It has only been a short time since you relinquished Phoebe back. What the shelters are going to want to know - is what changed in your circumstances? Do you have the money now, and the time? These are things that you have to think about - and make sure you are ready for. Because if your not - and you get a sick kid again - where is that one gonna go? I know you want a buddy for your other kid, and your trying to be a good fuzzy Mom. I have been in that position too. Just try to take some time - to make sure your READY for another. Then - go to the shelters with PROOF that you can do it. Good luck to you! **Note for professional flame-throwers" - please visit me separately, at my email addy if you would care to rip into me**!! Toodles all Kim and Her Army of Idiots Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, and not greedy for what I want..... [Posted in FML issue 5211]