The FML is 25 years old today!!! Hooray! Thank you, Bill Gruber, for your many, many years of service to the ferret community by providing us with the daily FML, without which: We might never have gotten to know one another - especially from one coast to another....... We might not know the name of one, Sukie, who also helps us tirelessly as well.... We might never know of a group of ferrets in desperate need five states away..... We might never know (or know too late) about a large rescue or shelter in dire need - and we might NEVER have pulled off the McKay 600...... We might not be able to disseminate the information to the ferret community to help aid in large rescues or disasters... We might never know of a existing (or newly formed) ferret organization designed to help ferrets/owners in need or to educate.............. We might never find out about a fabulous new ferret product, designed to save us time and money..... We might never know about new and wonderful ferret toys for our kids...... Or a skillful veterinarian for us go to go........ Or new treatment or pharmaceutical information to help our sick kids.... We might never know of the launch of a fundraiser for a good cause.... We might not know of The Giving Tree and shelter ferrets might not have a visit from Santa on Christmas.... We might not know of the Black Footed Ferret breeding/re-introduction program at Prairie Wildlife Research.... We might not hear of food or treat recalls..... The FML.....a venue where the moderator is fair, never allowing any of us to blindly bushwhack a fellow FMLer..... A man who puts up, sometimes, with incessant bickering, finger pointing and enraged accusations and still finds a way to forgive us and let us keep posting.... And about a thousand other things too. At one point or another, we have all been helped by the FML. The point is, we know all of these things because the FML helps us keep in touch. Without it, I wouldn't know ¾ of the ferret people I know now - thousands of miles from me, but just an email away if I need them (and vice-versa). This bond serves us and the ferrets well, and I thank you, Bill, for your tireless support of this sometimes crazy crowd, the ferret community. What a long, strange trip it's been! Bill Gruber, you are our "Ambassador of Kwan"...... Lisa O. Washington Metro Area Ferret Outreach shelter F.E.R.R.E.T. (ferretemergency.org) [Posted in FML 7647]