One thing I have learned is that dookie will definitely not keep mice away inside the house. Go figure that out. Neither will 3 cats, they are entirely too well fed and hunt mice only for entertainment purposes as I occasionally find the carcasses of their carnival. One ferret of mine however...one out of 18 is my hunter. She finds, kills and disposes of very efficiently. I am wondering however if there aren't more possibilities for dookie than we imagined? Now granted we may have to use other methods to use it as an adequate preventative to the problem. First let's address the problem of the cynical optic rectitis patient that can poo poo something as precious as a ferret wedding. To this person, I leave a batch of half cooked dookie brownies with the hope that they have the stick to the roof of your mouth effect similar to peanut butter. Shame on you!! As a former mother of the bride and groom who were wed at the BFC ferret show several years, I AM OFFENDED. Jasper and Mystery Girl were wed on the stage at the Tall Cedars Hall complete with music, a minister, wedding dress, Jasper in a tux shirt and a wedding cake. ( I could have strangled the videographer who didn't turn the camera on!!!!!!!!!!!!) so all we have to commemorate are a few mediocre snapshots. Some kind folks even brought wedding gifts to our table. Their cage was decorated as their wedding suite. (However, I don't think they'll ever forgive me for sneaking a photo later in the evening when they were honeymooning in their hammy) I promised not to make a centerfold out of it. On a serious note however, I will tell you that these two ferrets were truly in love with each other. Mystery Girl, the older woman in Jasper's life stayed by each other's side constantly. Mystery passed before Jasper. While undergoing adrenal surgery, the vet found that she was LOADED with cancer and we put her down. I laid her out on my bed for Jasper to say good bye (later kicking myself as I saw how upset he was) He curled up on top of her body and cried..little whimpering, sighing sounds....not wanting to stress him, I picked him up only to have him leap from my arms and curl back up with his beautiful albino bride. I let him be with her for an hour...he never moved from that spot....and did not live too long after that himself. Who are we to deny matrimony to these kids who are obviously in love AND wish to use their wedding to raise money for ferret shelters. I don't think it's against any laws and since they don't need to be on each other's insurance policies, I say let the wedding go on and please give me an address where I can forward a gift to the bride and groom. I will also need to know the color scheme they have chosen. Snow came through surgery with flying colors and our dear vet has a second succesful adrenal surgery under her belt...and I learned some more about adrenal. I had NO IDEA that the gland itself was no bigger than a grain of rice!!!!! Snow had a tumor the size of a pea on the left that had JOINED the one growing on the right gland. The left gland was removed, the right tumor removed succesfully. He is doing wonderfully and they will be going to their new home in a couple of weeks. Kat's Raffle: I also want to chime in on Wolfy's comments. Kat is one of the most giving persons I know of. She never thinks of herself , nor would she ask for help even though it means that she can't continue to do her work that benefits so many shelters, which is why I stepped in and insisted we do this for her. I have learned by visiting her (twice now) that she lives very frugally so she can continue to give to her own brood and continue her ferret charity work. People, we're talking about someone that has helped raise thousands of dollars. This fundraising is full time for her. Full time hours with the only payment being the satisfaction of knowing she makes a difference in the lives of the helpless. There are over 3000 members that read this list and I know every single one of you has a dollar or 5 to participate in this raffle. SOS has touched every one of us in one way or another. Maybe you adopted a ferret from a shelter that was able to continue their work because of SOS. Without their help, many shelters would not be able to continue their work. Many of these shelters are run only by one or two people and to do so succesfully, you have alot on your plate...most of us with full time jobs, the ferret care being the second full time job. Constant cleaning, buying bulk supplies, hauling them in and storing them out of ferret reach, the financials, the fundraising, the education, the events...it is an immense undertaking and getting a hand up from SOS (at least for me) has been a huge gift from God that always brings me to tears at the selfless work these people do to save lives. We are close to raising the amount needed to run the cable to Kat's house. I suggested that if we raised anything above it that it go toward her monthly bill -$70!!!! Just for internet!!!!!! and do you know what Kat said???? .....She said no. She wants funds raised over $500 to go to SOS. I ask you, do you know anyone like this anywhere? I know I don't. C'mon folks, there are some really great items on there. 10 packages to choose from!!!!!!! I'm not knocking anyone for not participating because I know we all have our share of financial problems...( beleive me, I understand THIS concept as well as anyone) but I've got to say I'm a little disappointed in the number of folks that are participating. It's amazing we've raised what we have with such few participants. Everyone has one dollar to give our Kat a hand up...so let's get moving folks. Only a little over a month left. Last week, my 11 year old nephew was here and he saw me working on the raffle and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he bought some tickets with the allowance I give him for helping out around here. Bless his sweet heart. He thought the website was adorable too. I want to add some hand made ferret sacks to the raffle but I just can't guarantee when I can finish them....it will probably be by the drawing time but I'm not going to advertise it , just in case I can't get them done....it will just be an added bonus if I can accomplish it. Thanks!!!!! Now go buy some tickets!!!! http://www.geocities.com/woozlekisses8/raffleforkat.html Kim and da kids at Somethin Up My Sleeve Ferret Rescue [Posted in FML 5627]