I have always said, "We don't hear a lot from Diane Wall on the FML, being the busy lady she is over at South Shore Ferret HOME, (HOME is my joke with Diane) but when she does post her words are well collected and her message is important - usually touching your heart as well. Oh my dear Turbo, I was just thinking of you last night. I am so sad to hear about your declining health. I suppose this means your days of riding your litter box down the ramps of your cage have come to an end. You and all the DMK bears are special to me. Know this; Turbo. I will hold you in "Love and Light" Always and ease any pain for you, Diane will be there and love you til the end and beyond and see you get your walks in the grass, Eleanor will be by on Wednesday nights to give you hugs for me an when your time to go to Rainbow Bridge arrives, Phyllis will be by with her specially equipped ferret bus to give you a lift. Rose, Michele, Eleanor, Diane and a few others from the South Shore area took in the 13 kids that Susann Thiel and I delivered to eastern NY from Lynx, Ohio in September of 2007. I sold my van a year or so after that event and remember finding kibble and other little items from that trip under seats and in little nooks. I never knew cleaning a car could be so emotional. This past summer I was able to get over to the South Shore summer event and meet Turbo and a few other DMK kids that made that road trip with us. That rescue was a life changing event for me. Touched me in a very deep and heartfelt manner. Each time I read of a DMK kid passing I take a special moment to remember the kindness that came to Lynx, Ohio from all over the nation. It was overwhelming. In honor of my special buddy Turbo and all the DMK Kids, I will again make arrangements with Sharon to match funds to either of the two vets being presented funds at the June symposium up to $100.00. If you have a DMK or a DMK came into your life and you would like to honor them, you could do so by sending even $2.00 to Sharon at the IFC address below. If you match mine, the IFC will then match ours. Many of the DMK's ran into a number of issues; tumors, insulinoma, adrenal, bad teeth, cardiomyopathy, some died on the vet's tables being neutered or spayed, some never really did adjust to life as a pet instead of a breeder ferret kept in an outdoor cage with limited human contact. Oh, the stories I could tell about setting up cages and trying to get them into the new ones. Watching ferrets wear litter boxes for hats because they had no idea what else to do with them. A two day trip to Maren's vet in Memphis with 19 babies. That was the hard one, leaving them as they looked at me with those pleading eyes asking "Where are you going without us?" It was probably a year before I caught up with Maren on the FML and she gave me a run down on every single kid Lori and I left in Memphis that day. So many of our furry loves develop each of the above ailments and more. Here in the Ryan house White Bear is in a serious battle with his IBD - what a valiant fellow he is. Young Silver just had an aspiration done on his spleen - white cell count is up; we are moving into our Sweetest last Dance mode. Charles was just diagnosed with insulinoma and has started his meds and is feeling a bit more perky. Your prayers would be appreciated. Thank God for the development of the Alpha Trak, saved me a vet visit and gave Charles more immediate treatment (I work closely with my vet over the phone - I did not ignore vet care where Charles is concerned). Now I will pray for more successful research for lymphoma, some medications, preventions or procedures that don't break the bank. Lymphoma and cardiomyopathy were new diseases to hit the Ryan camp this past year. I can say with great convinction, I don't like them very much! I know money is tight everywhere, but please consider what these two dynamic vets have given our animals already and give them funds to help even more. Give up a specialty coffee this week or pack your lunch instead of buying. Pass on that new outfit and give these kids soem help. REMEMBER TO MARK DMK KID ON YOUR CHECK OR IN THE MEMO ON PAYPAL SO SHARON KNOWS HOW MUCH TO BILL ME FOR A MATCHED AMOUNT. Funds can be sent to: Sharon Bearden, IFC 1245 Curtis Switch Rd Mineral Bluff, GA 30559 Or you can use Paypal and pay to [log in to unmask] Respectfully, Cathy Ryan Feed rescued animals in two clicks http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3 [Posted in FML 7063]