I'm posting this anonymously since the importance isn't who the author is, but the message I hope it brings. I have a lot of early childhood memories. My grandparents were farmers. Very poor farmers who raised eleven children. Not a one of those children ever got into trouble with the law and were good parents to their children. It was always a treat when we went to visit the farm. There were barn cats, so sometimes we had a new litter of kittens to check out. We could never catch them, so they were admired from afar. Then there were the barn animals that Gram-pa would take us out to see; it was always such a treat. Milk cows, the calves, sows with new piglets, and the chickens. Gathering eggs. We were never allowed to get too close to the larger animals. We were taught to respect them all. Now and then you were allowed to walk the rutted path along the pasture, back to the fragrant smelling woods. Gram-pa and Gram-ma's house sat on the top of a hill, on a curve. It didn't matter which direction you came from, you couldn't miss it. An old house with wooden siding; barely a hint of paint on it. As a child, I always wondered why they never painted it. Same with the old barn. The house had the faded and worn remains of ancient linoleum on the floor, sparse furniture, an old coal stove with a rusty stovepipe that disappeared through the wall, and no running water. It wasn't until the mid 1960's that my dad put an addition on their humble home and installed indoor plumbing, putting the old outhouse out of business. Hardly what I would have considered middle class, even for those years. We usually went to visit on Sunday, after dinner. Occasionally, we were invited to stay for supper. This meant Gram-pa would go out and be-head a couple of chickens and Gram-ma would scald and dress the birds. Those were the best chicken dinners I ever tasted. It was the way things were done. The chickens were raised to feed the family. What hogs weren't butchered and used by the family were sent to market. The same with the other livestock. The barn wasn't much to look at, but it was probably kept in better repair than their home. Why not, since it was was what provided their sustenance in life. You invest in what brings home the bacon. If your livelihood depends upon your car, you make sure you keep it running. If you earn your living by your computer, you protect that investment. My grandparents focused more on keeping the barn and chicken coop serviceable and investing in electric powered milk machines than upgrades to their home. I remember a few other things about the farm. Table scraps were fed to the dog or hogs. House trash went into the burn barrel. Scrap burnables such as fallen branches and the odd piece of wood were put into a pile, and were burned in the fall. Metal scrap, including tin cans, was put into barrels, and when it had sufficiently accumulated, was hauled off, probably being sold to the scrap metal salvage. It was a humble farm, but to be productive, had to be neat and efficiently operated. Grandpa died at 97 years of age. He had to give up farming quite a few years before leaving this world. When he no longer could take care of the animals, they closed that portion of the farm. Several of my uncles still helped with the planting and harvesting of the fields. Eventually farmlands were sold to provide income for his declining years. It was the end of an era, that family farm of my childhood memories. Once the assets were used, financial aid programs, social security, Medicare/Medicaid, etc., kicked in and provided for his care in the rest home for the remainder of his days. He didn't elect to keep animals in declining or deplorable conditions, just so he could eat. So, what does this trip down memory lane have to do with ferrets? Those that would defend Doug McKay either have no clue to what farming really entails or simply wish to antagonize those who would like to put a stop to this blight. I do realize different areas of our country have different standards, however, even the poorest areas in the mountains of West Virginia I've seen isn't any worse than Mr. McKay's property. Poor doesn't equate trashy and dirty. I'm not saying Doug is a bad person; but, what he is doing, is. ( I am not trying to put a bad light on those from West Virginia. It is a beautiful state, however it does have some of our country's most economically challenged citizens.) I don't care what excuse Doug McKay and his descendants use, nor anyone that defends him. We all know what excuses are like, and yes, everyone has one. The conditions at Doug McKay's property are not justified by simply qualifying it as a farming operation, and anyone that thinks the conditions on that property are normal farming practices needs to get out and look at today's farmers. I've lived 1/2 mile from one of the largest dairy operations in the area and those animals have all but flush toilets! It is all automated and sanitary! A clean house is a safe house is a productive house. So, I think the question begs to be asked: Is Doug McKay's stock agricultural (fur) or domestic (pet trade)? I believe his daughter already answered that for us, if she is being honest. This only helps define which laws might apply. If his stock is ultimately intended for the pet industry, he needs to play by those rules. However, the most important issue, to me, is the conditions these living creatures are being housed in regardless of destination. You can be poor, and still be compassionate, neat, organized and clean. Also, to say that Doug McKay has been inspected in the past and was always been approved (passed inspection) is simply not true. I was told by Doug McKay, personally, that he had failed his USDA inspection; they had revoked his permit to sell to pet stores at that time. He claimed it was due to cobwebs in the rafters but I suspect it was more likely the algae in the water pans or the deep piles of feces in and beneath the cages. Maybe even something to do with where the winter's losses were decomposing somewhere nearby. As for winters in Ohio, the farm reports will broadcast when temps and wind chills drop to levels that present danger to livestock, and advise farmers to act accordingly, providing protection from the elements. This means protect your stock. Your investment. However, Doug, ET AL, has enough surplus stock, that loss prevention isn't an issue, as evidenced by the odor of decaying corpses, mixed with the odor of the feces, which prevailed during my visits. Only the strong survive is his mantra. If you haven't been to this piece of property, please don't defend this operation. If you have been there, and it doesn't bother you, then I have a pretty good idea of what your standards are, and you are no better than he is. I have been to Doug McKay's property, and I assure you the pictures have not been tampered with. I am not associated with the group currently attempting to affect changes regarding his operation, nor any in the past. That doesn't mean I don't believe in the need for action or won't support them fully should it ever make it to a court action. I haven't read the preliminary affidavits on the MFRAN website yet. I saw that property. Whether the posted affidavits are legal or not is unimportant. If this issue proceeds and a case number is assigned to the court docket, affidavits can be taken if the representation feels it is needed, and those will be admissible in court. Libel is only actionable if it is not factual. Everyone has an opinion -just like an excuse. Either you are part of the problem or part of the solution. Decide which you are going to be. It will tell the world a lot about you. Then align yourself with the cause you wish to support. If you feel defending Doug McKay's breeding and husbandry standards are acceptable, stand behind him and help him get that attorney to protect his right to continue to 'farm' in the manner he has been for decades. However, if you haven't visited the property, vacation in Ohio if possible, and stop by to see Doug McKay's beautiful ferrets at Unique Impressions Ferretry. I guarantee it will leave you with a unique impression. Then align yourself behind the brave compassionate group that is trying to bring about life-changing improvement for the unfortunate ferrets trapped there. So, what is 'my' excuse? I guess it must be "I didn't know any better". I made a second trip to McKay's and felt I rescued two cold, wet ferrets to the tune of two hundred dollars. One couldn't even walk for a week or two after I got him home, his leg muscles were so atrophied. Would I do it again? Probably not, as paying a ransom isn't going to help, long term. Closing Unique Impressions and changing pertinent laws to prevent future like- endeavors are the way to proceed. Quote for the day: "I have always been fond of the West African proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." " -Teddy Roosevelt 8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with theYahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut. [Posted in FML 5545]