Hi Everyone: I am a bit overwhelmed right now and asking for help. I had picked a number of the ferrets off the Giving Tree from Maren's shelter, Raisins from Heaven in Mississippi. I was able to get a large box with bedding, toys, starch peanuts and a few goodies for Maren which arrived before Christmas. Libby Nelson, also stepped up to share some of the 12 Hobbs and got out bedding and I suspect, some of her wonderful stuffed toys. I was in touch with Maren to let her know that the other box would be on its way. I then had to let her know there would be a delay due to the unexpected illness and death of my beloved ferret Luke. I just returned from the vet yet again with a very sick Jack, sporting a fever of 105.8, He is in good hands with the vet and staff being evaluated. I just heard, he will be spending the night on an IV with antibiotics and treatment as necessary. I know is in in good hands. To say I am on pins and needles right now is an understatement. This has been a pretty rough year already losing 4 ferrets from our family. Any prayers for Jack and his long time cage mate Jillie would be appreciated. Good Old White Bear has stepped up to the plate to comfort Jillie in Jack's absence. Are there any folks who might take the ball from my court to see that the fuzzies at Maren's get all they deserve, while I focus on my kids for a bit? I am happy to share more info with any one willing to help. In case you are not aware, this spring, Maren and Joe were able to close down a backyard breeder which meant taking on 8 kits, 11 Jills and 12 Hobbs in addition to her other load of ferrets. These are the "Backyardikids" she now has temporarily housed in a duplex a friend has loaned til the middle of January. Maren has always stepped up to help in many, many situations and anything you send would be greatly appreciated. Soft snacks or Ultra Moist Soft food by 8 & 1 can be enjoyed by the older guys who are having dental issues. Food- check with April at TF, bedding or toys and tubing for enhancement, cash, gift cards to Walmart and Petsmart, would be appreciated. The other kids I took were the Steffins family of 6 ferrets left at her door step a year ago Thanksgiving. The family had to decide if they should feed the human kids or the ferrets. Sad situation. Probably the human kids would have been satisfied with Purina Kitten Food, but with milk!! I feel horrible that I'm not keeping my end of the bargain right now to these ferrets and took extras off the GT toward the end so this would be prevented because of the large group. Today and tomorrow were to be sewing days. They say when life hands us lemons, make lemonade. I guess I just need someone else to make the lemonade right now. Try to de-stress. Breathe. It will all work out okay for everyone. Closing on a positive note, if there is ever a bright side to losing a ferret, the bright side of losing Lukey was that even after death, he was fast at work, being the wonderful gentleman ferret and philosopher he was. The day after his passing the two drop dead gorgeous female MF ferrets I have posted about a few times from Lollypop Farm, were being eyed by a lady and her husband. I got a call the day after Luke passed -- would I answer some of her questions? She wanted more info. That day they went home with her to meet her other little female ferret. That would have been the work of a very kind and loving friend of mine dressed in a sable suit with beautiful brown eyes. The ferret that works in mysterious ways!! Respectfully, Cathy Ryan Feed rescued animals in two clicks http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3 [Posted in FML 6928]