Hello, This is the third message I've sent today but I can't help myself -- I have just finished reading #132-189, and I am impressed/appalled/relieved/drained/happy/sad/overwhelmed at all the information I've absorbed in such a short period of time. (A friend of my, formerly a nurse, scolded me for doing it but I couldn't stop -- it was like eating peanuts). [Far worse. It's like reading USENET....] To Fritter's family (I'm sorry, I'm not sure what your name is!): [Steve and Sukie Crandall] My thoughts are with you. The last message I saw from you was October -- I hope you are doing OK and that the rest of the brood is well. To Nancy Hartman: Again, last message I saw was from October. I hope your sister is better & the family is OK. My husband & I are in your neck of the woods & very interested in the Delaware Valley Ferret Club. Please send the pertinent info when you have time to me at: [log in to unmask] To Cooper's family: My thoughts are with you too. Hope all is well. To Beau in Massachusetts: I'm fascinated by your fight to legalize ferrets in Massachusetts. We belong to UFO & get their newsletter -- 2 of our ferrets are from Path Valley, that's how we found out about UFO -- and had NO IDEA any of this was going on, or UFO/Ferret World's role in politics. I recently obtained information about a Ferret Fanciers Club in Pittsburgh & have been wondering how many other ferret organizations there were out there & why information seems so disconnected (i.e. that FFC & UFO don't mention each other and DEFINITELY don't mention the Ferret Mailing List or any of the other organizations mentioned therein. Is there anything I can do (keeping in mind that I'm no expert)? To Cindy & Sweet Sam: Giving in Fritter's memory -- what a lovely gesture! To Fara Shimbo (sp? -- sorry if I botched it) I'm not exactly clear on where you are -- but I'd be interested in more information about your newsletter (Weasels, huh?) To Chris Lewis: Thank you for having this list! It's nice to have what I have to consider a "ferret support group" so readily available. I'm only sorry I didn't know about it sooner. All the information about ferret diet, health, social activity, and even politics is absolutely fascinating and makes me feel like part of a larger family. Bandit has been ill for about a month now, and it has been strange much of the time. There have been times we've felt like we were on a deathwatch, and absolutely exhausted from crying. Friends of ours in Warminster, Pa., who have 2 ferrets (they were so taken with Bandit when they first met him, they acquired Bandersnatch, and a year later, Mimsy) sent a sympathy card that was SO much appreciated. But otherwise it's been hard telling other friends who do not have ferrets what we are feeling without after awhile having them just nod their heads without really listening. Charlie & Molly (short for Maledicta) were very subdued & upset at first -- especially for the 2 days Bandit was in the hospital -- but have been generally OK since the B-man went on Prednisone & started feeling better and acting more normal. They don't even TRY to play with him anymore though. Molly has been a bit more distant, while Charlie seems to want snuggling & comforting quite a lot -- and he NEVER used to be so affectionate! Bandit has an appointment this weekend with Dr. Karen Rosenthal of the Animal Medical Center in NYC, and we are feeling a bit more hopeful. Our vet has been generally supportive but has reached the point that he just doesn't know what else to do. A needle biopsy was inconclusive; Dr. Harris can't do ferret bloodwork & Bandit is not strong enough for an operation. Dr. Harris has ferret experience but is not a specialist; he's of a general practitioner who sees a number of ferrets but doesn't have the facilities for anything really serious. The preliminary diagnosis is lymphosarcoma but this has not been confirmed. Dr. Rosenthal seems to think it may be something less serious; we'll see. Anyway, Bandit will at least get bloodwork done. He's been on Prednisone, 0.5mg daily for 3 weeks now & is holding his own at 2 lbs, 2 oz., down from approximately 4 lbs. He is 3-1/2 and an absolute charmer -- 4 ferrets have happy homes because of him -- Molly, Charlie, Bandersnatch & Mimsy! Wish us luck . . . As far as the "survey" goes -- Bandit, Molly (3) and Charlie (1) are convenience ferrets. I believe Bandersnatch (about 3) and Mimsy (about 2) are convenience also. Thank you. You can have the soapbox back now; I feel better. Katie, Jeff, Bandit, Molly & Charlie [Posted in FML issue 0225]