We got back from Ohio bout 11pm 10/2, and my volunteer staff was anxiously awaiting our arrival. We worked til about 4am getting all the Ohio kids into cages and comfortable. Yesterday and today these kids ran, romped and danced their hearts out in Rocky's huge outdoor containment system, which is designed for digging in dirt, tubes, running through tall grass, etc. They were in sensory overload and loving life, finally. No linoleum floors and plastic tubes for these kids! We took them primal, and the joy just busted through showing each and every ones' personality! The cages they had previously lived in, well let me say they looked about the mens size 13 box that my son's sneakers would come in. Speaking of taking them primal; Can you imagine, from the pics that MFRAN and Ferrets Unlimited courageously posted, that these kids' day- in-and-day out, hungered to be a part of dirt and grass that were beneath them, just inches away. Each and every day since they were born, they gazed upon it, breathed in every scent of every blade of grass......so close, but yet so far away. We gave them that gift when they arrived at Rocky's. They were one with the earth. It was just so outrageously cool to place a timid ferret in the tall grass. Then they would sprawl their legs out and stay close to the ground, initially being so bewildered. It was within minutes later they realized their freedom, and abandoned their trepidations. I've never in my life seen such dookin and dancing, and airborne ferrets. Their delight, was my delight, and anyone else that was looking on. We have pools of water in our containment. It amazed us all that they took to the pools. They snorkled, they swam, they waded...but none were afraid of the water, strangely enough unlike their MF/PV/counterparts when introduced to the pools. I personally am sending money this week to the DMK Defense Fund. That being for all those mentioned directly or "John/Jane Does" mentioned in the lawsuit. They did their best to free these ferrets, and I for one, refuse to allow them to be ignored and left out on the line to dry. Doug McKay for years manipulated the heartstrings of the ferret community. He made the fatal mistake of contacting someone who really truly cared. That would be MFRAN, and subsequently all that supported and refused to back down in getting those ferrets in his charge released to a better world. Defendants in the lawsuit; Ya did good, we have a rescue, imho, because of your efforts. Do me and others a favor, and post a Paypal account, or snail mail, where we can send funds for your defense. 76 ferrets tonite are free to dance and love life, and go on to homes that will do their best to give them the best that life has to give, because of your efforts. I bow! Please, let us know where those of us that respect your efforts, can send funds for your defense. First order of business was CEP testing for Aleutian's Disease Virus. CEP being the only ADV test we will do, since AVECON's have from our own and other's experiences, had catastrophic failures. Random batch testing is worthless against ADV, every ferret needs to be tested. It's like a mechanic testing one of ten planes scheduled for flight; and you would put your loved ones on which flight, and stand back content with the safety of their journey? ...nah, you guys are too bright to settle for that nonsense! Today 18 neuters and rabies vacs were done. 76 CEP specimens were submitted to Dr. Blau at Blue Cross An Hosp. I am willingly share my results, and for the best interests of the ferret community, I ask that all that have these ferrets and are testing, please share your results also. With any surrender, we see those that bite. I've got to say that with some tender loving care and handling, these unsocialized ferrets want nothing less than to trust us. Yes I was bit, and bit hard, but I've gotten that from alot of the typical surrenders too. The trust issue; In day to day surrenders I see the trust issue with them back off, or lunging. With the Ohio kids, they allow you to pick them up, then they do this incredibly tight Kaola Bear hug around your forearm and hand, and just glare at you with total bewilderment..... and trust...eyes as big as saucers. We don't let them down. We massage their faces, as their mothers would have done. When they start licking air, we know they are in that comfort zone (yes, thank you very much Bob Church for that technique!) It pains me to age them, because I don't believe I have one or even saw any at Lori Sies' that was beyond 4 yrs. DMK has been breeding for 25 yrs, where are the old kids, what happened to them? That's a rhetorical question, and it hurts to think of the answer. Of the 76 we brought back, many were part of a network for the East Coast shelters. Ya gotta love these shelters, repeatedly they asked me to bring back oldsters or special needs. They all were one and the same, generally speaking. Again, where were the 4,5,6,7,8 9, 10 yr oldsters that served their master well. If someone going in before Rocky's did and got them, please let us know. All I know is that these kids are loving and want to trust.....just like any other we get in. If you've never adopted from a shelter before, then now's the time to do so, but start with the kids that have been waiting for you. They deserve a home first. Give these Ohio kids a chance to decompress, get to know the shelter mom/dad, and them these Ohio kids. If all of this about the Ohio rescue has opened your heart, it's more than that, you've been awakened to the need of all shelter kids, not just the OHIO ones. ADOPT now. Affectionately, Barb Clay Dir of Shelter Affairs for Rocky's www.rockysferrets.com HEY YOU! www.rockysraffles.com HEY YOU AGAIN! http://rockysferrets.com/events/of/oktoberfest_raffle.html [Posted in FML 5751]