It's 4:30 a.m. on Christmas morning and I am braving the cold .... and wow, it's snowing! Snowing on Christmas Day in Hernando, MS. The news anchor would later tell me that it has only snowed here like three times in 100 years. No one is out except me, it seems. I pull into the drive of a rental duplex that has been loaned to me and Joe since a few days before Thanksgiving. It's a nice 72 or so inside and Christmas lights inside two rooms twinkle and the radio plays Christmas tunes quietly.. . one of my favorites comes on, "Christmas In Dixie" by Alabama. It almost seems magical....this, their first Christmas.... I turn on the lights and 33 ferrets start to stir a bit. I turn up the heat a few degrees and go from cage to cage announcing that its Christmas and they need to wake up so they can get out and play and see what Santa has brought them. I bring in boxes and a huge ferret play tower. All from their Santas.....people around the country have sent them ferret toys, goodies, and bedding. I smile and cannot wait until they see all of their new toys and anticipate the ferret joy that will soon take place. You see, I have two locations now....the house shelter and this off-site shelter that is a temporary home for these little one, that is, until mid-January. I wanted to quarantine these little ones and allow them to get fam iliar with being inside and all of the smells and noises associated with being inside a home. For up until most recently, these ferrets have always been outside in all types of weather and with little or no human contact. They were once backyard breeder ferrets. Never knowing toys, treats, warm-soft clean bedding.....or even good healthy ferret food. They barely had food and water of any type as evidenced by their very very poor condition upon surrender. Most were emaciated. None have ever had medical care. .. none were just loved and cared for, they were just a means to make money for their former owners... we've seen this before. They are as follows: 13 jills; 12 hobbs; and 8 kits - litters of 5 and 3. The hobbs have all been altered and as well as 6 of the jills. The remaining jills took longer to gain strength and the kits just needed to mature. Those ferrets will be spayed and neutered next month. They have all been vet checked and ...now have all been vaccinated, finally. Many of these are older ferrets and it's a miracle they are alive. Alas, for 10, I was too late. The cages and outdoor chambers that once were the jails for these kids have all been destroyed. Liberated from horrible horrible conditions, they are gaining strength every day now. It was touch-and-go for a few of the older girls for a few weeks but with round-the-clock care by vet techs and fabulous care by two veterinarians, all of the rescued ferrets will survive. They are learning to be ferrets now and some are better at it than some of the others! For those of you not in rescue, there is nothing in this world more wonderful than seeing ferrets who were once sad, depressed, and lacking will to live - let alone play and be happy for any reason - evolve into ferrets that now play like any other pet ferret. Tears of joy are daily now as I watch one ferret after another learn to "war dance" and to play with toys. Ferrets do smile. This has been a long and frustrating journey for me and for Joe. Poor Joe. Since we have been together, especially this year with the flooding ferrets and now the rescued backyard breeder ferrets, he has endured with me the heartache and joys of ferret rescue here. I have been looking for these people for a long time. They would sell their kits at flea markets and such all across the mid-Mississippi area. I actually talked with them nearly 8 years ago at a First Monday flea market......I never forgot them and was determined to find them and close their business. I have shut down two back yard breeders here in Mississippi. These people had far more ferrets than the lady I closed is Southaven nearly 5 years ago. She also had Prarie Dogs, believe it or not. Because most of these kids are older ferrets and with dental issues, I doubt that they will be adoptable once all of them have been altered and finally medically cleared. My numbers have now doubled - but the looks in the eyes of these little ones tell me all that I need to know, it is worth every bit of the sacrifice. It's going to be tight quarters, but we will make it work. Yes, there is a Santa - these kids had many Santas! A great big whiskered kiss and warm fuzzie hugs to all of our Santas who sent us toys, treats, food, bedding, and - wow a ferret play tower! I cannot express my gratitude enough for all of the kindness given for these kids. Thank you - thank you! Words just don't seem to be enough.....but, thanks. I am a day late getting this posting out, apologies to those of you that were promised this for Christmas Day....I fell asleep after all of the daily comings and goings plus I put off all of my shopping until the last two days. And I awoke after midnight and by then it was past the deadline. Sorry. Merry Christmas to all of you in the ferret community. Merry Christmas from all of us here in Hernando, MS. I got my Christmas wish a little early this year, this their first Christmas..... Maren Qualls Raisins From Heaven Ferret Rescue & Sanctuary Hernando, MS [Posted in FML 6923]