The unexpected passing of Robin Hochgertel is a sad day for me and for all of us in the ferret community. I will always remember Robin as a dedicated friend who poured her heart, life and soul into the cause of unwanted domesticated ferrets. Under her direction, FerretsFirst always accepted any ferret in need regardless of age or medical condition, in many cases from animal control agencies located hours away from her home in Annandale, VA. Many of the ferrets she accepted were very old or in horrible medical condition, but that didn't matter - they always had a place to live at FerretsFirst. No matter what, Robin was always there for the ferrets. I can't count the number of times that she stayed up all night with a depressed ferret who wasn't doing well due to illness or shelter shock. She would spend the night on her couch, half asleep and half awake, with the little sick or depressed fuzzy in a sleepy sack on her chest, making sure that they knew that they were not alone and that someone cared about them. Sometimes, in spite of Robin's efforts and the efforts of some of the best ferret vets in the country, the little fuzzies were too sick or depressed to live, and she experienced every single passing as if it were one of her very own pets. Robin was also someone who was always there for any ferret owner when help was needed. She went out of her way to assure all of her adopters, fosterers and ferret friends that she was available day or night should they ever need her for anything. Like many people involved in animal rescue, Robin experienced an awful lot of stress and loss in a relatively short period of time, much more than most everyday people have to endure in a lifetime. I really don't know how she did it all. As a result of Robin's hard work and sacrifice, there are about five hundred ferrets from around the Washington DC/suburban Maryland/Northern Virginia region and beyond that were spared from euthanization at a municipal animal shelter. Nearly all of these ferrets ended up in great forever homes as adoptees or hospice fosters, and those that could not be adopted or fostered were able to live out the rest of their lives with someone who cared very deeply for each and every one of them until it was their them to go the the Rainbow Bridge. Robin was a tough lady and never one to back down from a fight, and that side of her came across a few times here on the FML. Some of you may only know Robin from these few controversies. It is my hope that you can accept Robin as someone who was very passionate about what she believed in and forgive her if she offended you. All of us have moments where our passion gets the best of us. Robin was *very* passionate. There are few people who are as passionate about the cause of unwanted pets as Robin was, and it was a privilege to know her. Robin paid it forward big time, and you can bet there's a huge party going on at the Rainbow Bridge right now. I'm sure that her beloved Pierre, along with Dusty, Callie, Fat Jack, Levi, Sadie, Loki, Ricki, Francie, Thelma, Louise, Hunter, Erin, Sweetheart, Smokey, Mr. C., Buffy, Alaina 1 and 2, Samantha, Patience and the rest her Permanent Residents club have gathered all of the FerretsFirst ferrets at the Bridge for a huge bash, along with Squiggs and the other non-weasel pets that Robin loved and lost while she was here on Earth. It would sure be nice if the Bridge Greeters could report back to let us know that our good friend Robin made it to the Bridge and was able to find her party and all of her furry friends. Jack Anderson Grateful FerretsFirst Volunteer, Fosterer and Adopter [Posted in FML 7206]