The McDowell and Longtail incident has been constantly on my mind. I have so far been unable to contact them but I am going to try this weekend again. This really hits home since I live in the same %$#*@! state and those pretty symbols do not stand for nice words. I have been sending every possible monetary amount my budget will allow to the McDowell's since my heart and mind are so troubled by their plight. To add to this frustration of what is happening to them, last week the local newspaper ran a very unsettling ad. It stated something similar to this: " Help! If anyone knows the whereabouts of our ferret Longtail or how to find him, please contact the Kansas State Health Dept., The Pottawatomie Health Dept. or the Pottawatomie Court House. We need your assistance please." Do you think Rita or Mike placed this ad? I doubt it, but I will ask when I talk to them. The fact that the State is still looking for the ferret tells me the State placed the ad in hopes that some unsuspecting do-gooder would come up with some information. This is not a criminal wanted for manslaughter for heavens' sake, this is a poor little ferret! I feel as if I am in a state ruled by the Gestapo and at any moment the police will knock down my door and take my children away! Sorry for rambling on but I had to get that off my mind. In a lighter note; To Laura McDonald: About the ferrets' dry, scaly feet...I have some information on older ferrets and it mentioned that as a ferret ages it sometimes has this problem with dry foot pads. It recommends rubbing some petroleum jelly (AKA Vaseline) on the foot pads. This will help seal in the moisture. I use it on my hands in the winter because they also dry out due to moisture loss. I also enjoyed your song, I can even remember the original words to "I'm a Girl-Watcher!" My, My, My! One of my little wild men enjoys my wrist over my toes. The other loves my ankle bone. All of the fossil four just love to lick my nose. Ferrets seem to get more mellow as they join the senior citizen club. I hope the petroleum helps. You will most likely have no problems putting it on their pads, but keeping it on might prove difficult since some ferrets love the taste of it...yuck! The base of Petromalt is petroleum jelly and my ferrets relish the flavor. Good luck. To Anon concerning abusive Vet: I am in shock! It makes me sick to think a person that animal owners should trust would be abusing their pets! Help, Dr.Williams....Isn't there an association for veterinary practices that can be notified? There is always something in the news about doctors who abuse their patients, don't animals have rights too? We are the voices of animals who can not speak for themselves. It is up to us to protect them against such cruelty. Anon, please keep us updated on the situation, as this is undoubtedly very disturbing to all of us who love animals and most certainly stressful for you. Judy and the significant others. [Posted in FML issue 0699]