I always think the best thing for my mental health is being around a healthy playful ferret, but there is nothing sadder than a normally happy energetic ferret that is sick. As far as humans go, no one is better at raising my spirits than Bob Church, but seeing Bob in such misery at the symposium was painful. I was able to speak with Bob over the phone in the hospital on Wed. afternoon and I am pleased to report that he is feeling much better, at least relatively. After much poking, prodding, AND probing (Bob has a great story about that part I'm sure he will enjoying relating to everyone), the doctors decided he had an extraordinarily bad intestinal virus. I unfortunately interrupted his lunch, which was his first real meal in who knows how many days. He insisted that he was going to be released within a few hours and was going to be headed home (as soon as he proved he could keep his lunch where it belonged). He asked me to let everyone know he was OK, I'm sorry it took me several days to get around to posting this update. He should be home again by now. Elayne Barclay Cascade Ferret Network [Posted in FML 5655]