Hi FML'ers. I have been listening for awhile, but I think it's time to ask a question. I've noticed that people have been asking for suggestions of vets in their area. I would like to make the same request. When we got Hobbes (8 mo. neutered male), the pet store that we bought him from gave us a coupon for a free checkup at an animal hospital (Worth Animal Hospital) near their store. We went to that hospital for Hobbes' vaccinations and also for little Calvin's (4 mo. neutered male) when we got him. I don't have any problem with the vets we saw, but unfortunately the hospital is located a considerable distance from where we live. Not a problem for regular checkups, but I shudder to think what would happen if we had an emergency (it took us over an hour to get to the hospital in rush hour traffic for Calvin's vaccinations). So, the bottom line is, does anyone in Chicago know of a good vet near us? We live at 31st St. and Michigan Ave., near Comiskey Park. Second question, actually this question has two parts. As I said, we have two boys, but I would really like to get a little girl. Daddy has thus far said 'no', but I'm working on him. His major concern is that our big boys (Hobbes is around 4 lbs. right now with his winter fat) would beat up a little girl (Hobbes played pretty rough with 6 wk. old Calvin when we got him -- he never HURT him, just made him whine). Do you think they would seriously injure a little girl? They are both very friendly and playful and seem to love each other. Then I thought that maybe we could get an adult girl at a shelter, but she would still be much smaller. Have any of you had problems with your little girls and big boys? We like to let the boys run around our house freely (they are confined to the bedroom when we aren't home), so I would hate it if I had to keep a little girl caged when we weren't there to protect her. And finally (last question), where is my nearest shelter(s) here in the Chicagoland area? Even if I can't get Daddy to say 'yes' to another punkin, I would still like to visit a shelter to see what they're like. Thanks in advance for all you help, as well as thanks for all the help that I've gotten from listening to you all talk about your babies. Shelly (the mommy) Hobbes ("Hey Calvin, come here you little punk <chomp, chomp>") Calvin ("You know, I'm going to grow up someday, and then you'll get yours!") [Posted in FML issue 1478]