hey everyone... first...this is not spurred on by the recent posts about the giving tree...it is just a feeling i have been having rattling around inside of me for a while...and actually has nothing to do with the giving tree stuff at all... IN MY OPINION... shelter folks are SPECIAL...they have SO MUCH MORE on their plates than most of us...not only do they have ferrets...but they have the worry of dumpees...whether they are from animal control or people...they have the concern for their hospice folks and their fosterers...they have to worry about if the next ferret they are 'awarded' will have huge medical bills attached to it...they have to worry wheter the adoption they just made was a good one...so SO much to think about...and deal with.... some have to worry about the bread-winners being out of work...and still trying to keep afloat...run the ebays...keep up with what is being said about them so they can defend their honor and good names so the shelter is not hurt...or themselves continuing on while in extreme pain...and don't give me the "well, then they should give up the shelter"...BS...too many are closing already...some ferrets have no place else to go... donations have dried up for several shelters...and they are working their butts off to raise funds and still do all that is involved in running the shelter...while competing with all those that are selling the same things they are...ALL FOR THE FERRETS... some may be so stressed as to give short answers to questions asked so they can fit many more questions to be answered in their limited computer time....some may not be able to get to all questions in a "timely" manner...please...be understanding and be patient... they are doing the best they can...many of these shelter moms and dads are the only one there to do it all... maybe i am being overly sensitive...maybe i am feeling bad because i can not do more...but please...for those of you who deal with the shelter moms and dads...try a little EXTRA patience and understanding...a kind word rather than a "you could have done better" attitude goes a long way in making a day go easier for a shelter mom or dad who may well be at the end of their emotional rope... thank you... JustPlainKat... not speaking for ANY organization that i am affiliated with... -- May your New Year be everything you have ever dreamed of.... from..... Kat the Happy Hooker [so named by BC] and her Krew of 15 plus one very spoiled cat.... http://ferretlover97.terrabox.com [Posted in FML 5483]