"I've got a ferret sticking up my nose." I can't hear those words without thinking of British comedian John Cleese. And, Dr. Susan Brown also gets a big kick out of the man. "I love all his comedic work and he is an interesting and brilliant man. I love comedians!" This woman is going to be a blast! And, she may be able to help him with this misplaced ferret! Or even the mandrill, the crocodile . . . Dr. Brown has been interested in exotic pets since she was a child. A 1976 graduate of The University of Illinois, she and her husband, along with partner Dr. Scott McDonald, realized their vision of an exclusive avian and exotic animal practice with the 1986 opening of the Midwest Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital. The hospital was the first of its kind in the U.S. to treat avian and exotic animals exclusively. A recent expansion has also made it the largest. Her first ferret, Guido, came to live with her in 1980, when a client surrendered him. "Ferrets were my first more intensive 'special interest' because back in the 80's there were rarely Vets that knew much about them or how to treat them. Being an exotic animal vet was for me a way to advocate for animals that are frequently overlooked or not always treated with the level of dedication they deserve in the veterinary community." And, advocate she does. When asked about her most memorable ferret experience, Dr. Brown had difficulty narrowing this down. Why? Well, in her words, "Wow, I have seen/handled over 3000 ferrets and so it is hard to answer this one." And, when I learned that Dr. Brown was married to former Chicago Cubs player Richard Nye, I almost forgot to ask about anything else. When she said he was also "a wonderful man" AND an exotic animal veterinarian, well, let's just say that I can't wait to meet them! They managed to spend a life and a dream together, in the process raising two "funny and intelligent sons." Dr. Brown reports that her life is full of memorable experiences of all kinds. For fun and relaxation she fessed up to gardening, playing with her various animals, or just watching them interact. Additionally, she does therapy dog work and felting - "I think that is enough," she said. However, this hardworking vet, who points out, "I was SUPPOSED to be retired at this time...but just couldn't let it go!" recently incorporated her newest venture, Rosehaven Exotic Animal Veterinary Services. You may e-mail her there at [log in to unmask] And, should the good doctor need something more, both sons are in the film industry - one a cinematographer, the other a writer and film editor. Dr. Brown would like to be remembered "mostly as a good person who did her best to provide empathetic and useful service to the community of both human and nonhumans alike." I know I can't wait to see her in Portland. Join us and learn more about the fun-loving vet who has contributed so much to our knowledge of ferrets! -- renee :) It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the credit! Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) http://www.ferretemergency.org [log in to unmask] International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org [Posted in FML 5579]