Okay, I know everyone is going to think I'm making this up, but trust me, I'm not. I have a good friend in the Ferret Community, Marlene Blackburn, of the Richmond Ferret Rescue who I've known since I got my first ferret in 2006. Her advice and direction as to how to properly care for my fuzzies over the years has been as valuable to me as if it had come from an Exotic's Vet Specialist, actually moreso since I moved from Richmond to rural North Carolina where "we've" had to practically train my Vet in fuzzy care. As I do every year at this time, I sent Marlene's shelter kids a Santa box but when I didn't get a delivery confirmation call, I got concerned. Marlene's always amazing about thanking me for such gifts but I mailed the box before Thanksgiving and as of this Sunday, three weeks later, I still hadn't heard from her. Then out of the blue, I get a call from Marlene this Monday telling me she's in the hospital and had been since the day after Thanksgiving with a destroyed hip. She had fallen down some "cement" steps outside on her patio that afternoon and was found still unconscious that evening by the mailman who was delivering my Santa box to her door. I thank God that the box didn't fit in her mailbox or he, or anyone else, wouldn't have found her in time to call 911 and get her to the hospital. It's cold in Richmond this time of year so her body temperature was down to almost critical and the doc told her she wouldn't have survived an overnight out on her patio. Early Sunday morning, he had her in surgery replacing her hip. She's now doing very well and got to come home yesterday. One of her shelter mom's, Karen Lamb in Brandy Station VA, has taken Marlene's shelter kids while Marlene recovers, but it could be for some time while Marlene learns to use her new body part. She jokingly told me this morning that she can't yet bend at the waist so the only way she could even pick up a fuzzy would to be with her metal grabber. Probably not a good idea! But if I know Marlene, she'll be driving her home-therapist nuts to get her back into shape so she can get her babies back. I hope the Ferret Community will reach out to Marlene and the folks at the Richmond Rescue with well wishes and any support they need in this very difficult time. All of their current information is listed on the SOS site. 'Tis the season for acts of kindness and if any group of people can rise up with amazing kindness, it's the Ferret Community! Happy Holidays to everyone! If you haven't sent out your Santa boxes yet, DO IT! They are truly used in amazing ways and bring everyone involved the great joy of the Season. Leslie with Pebbles, Minnie, Sassy, Dolly, Bodie and Andy [Posted in FML 7993]