Sorry for the recent lack of contact in the ferret community; I haven't answered emails, read many FMLs, or even have been watching my Facebook page to any real degree. I've just been so busy that when I look in the mirror, all I see is a streak. My son Andrew is serving in the Navy and will soon be marrying his college sweetheart. He is currently in Sub school and doing well. Elizabeth has recovered from an extended illness and is back on her feet and back at work as a nurse. Josh and Gloria are doing well. The four grandkids are wonderful and an unbelievable source of joy. I've lost a few ferrets, including my beloved Belle and Rummy. I miss both of them very much. I have a rescue group of 3 that are currently in isolation. A nice boy and 2 girls, all underweight, all MF. But, they are still very sweet. I will be driving to California sometime next week to arrive in time to speak at the "Legalize Ferrets Revival." I strongly encourage all those able to attend; if I can come out from Missouri, you can make it from a closer location! I'll be talking on ferret behavior and New Zealand feral ferrets, but the best in show always goes to Jeanne Carley and her ferret photos. Her talk alone is worth the trouble of attending. Please show your support for ferret legalization in California by attending! This is late notice because I wasn't sure if I would be driving or flying to California. Andrew is taking leave to get married, but the exact dates are unknown. We finally set up a 'dead date" zone around the Sept. 25th Revival and will work around it. I hope to leave for California on Sept. 20 to arrive on Sept 25, then a return to Missouri, arriving Sept 30. I haven't mapped out the drive yet, but I hope to take a southern route (through Texas) out and a northern route (through Wyoming) back. On a first asked, first accepted basis, if any ferret club, group, shelter, or nice individuals would like me to stop and give a short talk, now is the time to ask. There is another reason I'll explain below. Assuming I'll be able to leave on Sept 20, I can accept one (1) invitation per day out and back (ten total). I might be able to visit two groups on a single day if you are in the same area. I can't give talks on my California topics, but anything and everything else is fair game. The other reason I want to make stops is to collect data for the Ferret Project, USA portion. I want to collect DNA (painless, non-invasive), weights, measurements, do a tooth inspection, and collect information on how you take care of them. The DNA will go to Davis with the nearly 1000 other samples I sent from around the world. The other data will be used to compare USA ferrets to their world counterparts. So, you get a talk, I get data. I have limits on how much DNA I can collect, so don't hesitate on this admittedly late offer. I am truly sorry about how late it is in making this offer, but I didn't want to make it and then have to cancel if I discovered I had to fly to San Francisco. Ferret world or not, my son and his wedding has priority. As for the ferret project, it is doing well. I was forced to take a break when Elizabeth was ill, but I am back on track and the lab is up and running again. I'm trying to get 4 years of work done in 2, so I have been keeping late hours and early mornings. I feel I've learned what the necessary conditions are for ferrets to go feral, a statistically significant linkage between insulinoma and carbohydrate load, and why there is accelerated tooth wear caused by kibble. And that is just the start! I *think* I know what a ferret's optimal lifespan should be, and a few of the reasons why they are not living as long. I have a much clearer view of ferret domestication and how it occurred. Mostly, I have a clearer understanding of the ferret than I ever had before. Please contact me as soon as possible if you would like me to stop for a talk or to collect DNA and data. I need your help to finish the project and this might be my last opportunity to go west for a while. Bob C [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML 6820]