Our shelter works closely with a humane society shelter in a neighboring FFZ. A couple of weeks ago, I drove over to our meeting ground to pick up what was described as a "severe abuse case". I was presented with a little female albino. "Lucky" as the humane society named her, was blind in both eyes and was missing one rear leg. The driver told us that she had been treated for severe ear-mite infestation and bathed several times to get some of the dirt out of her fur, but "she's a sweetheart." Truer words were never spoken. Lucky loved to be held and rewarded anyone lucky enough to pick her up with lots of ferret kisses. At our shelter she walked around so well that you'd never notice she was missing a rear leg, and except for occasionally running into things, she got around fairly well. Late last week we finally found someone who we thought deserved a great ferret like Lucky. The woman had two ferrets already, one which came from our shelter earlier. Lucky went home with them. Today she called to tell us how Lucky was doing. Her ferrets apparently realized that Lucky was blind, and have decided that it is their responsibilty to take care of her. When they go anywhere one of them always goes in front of Lucky and one behind. Lucky follows the first by his scent. If she gets confused with crossed ferret paths, the one behind gently nudges Lucky in the right direction. In this way they have shown her all around the house; where the litterboxes are, where the food and water dishes are; where the toys are kept; and even the best route up on the couch. Whenever they walk you always see the three ferrets, all in a line. When they sleep, one lies on her left and one on her right. It always amazes me how compasionate and intelligent these ferrets can be. Some humans I know could take a lesson from them. I think that Lucky finally lived up to her name. Dick B. [Posted in FML issue 1188]