DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A VET, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE PLAYED ONE ON RADIO. I AM NOT A LORAX, EVEN THOUGH I FREQUENTLY SPEAK FOR THE TREES. I AM NOT A GURU, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DEVELOPED A FOLLOWING. THE OPINIONS I EXPRESS IN MY LETTERS ARE MINE AND MINE ALONE. Whew! Glad I got that out of the way. Now, down to bizzness. I'm very sorry if some of my postings have offended anyone. I know that they have because of some of the responses I have received. I must apologize to anyone who has taken exception to the things I have to say. Please remember that I have never, intentionally, tried to hurt anyone with anthything I have written. I have already lived more years than I ever thought I would. During that time, I have developed beliefs and opinions on many issues. Sometimes, I choose to express them here. I have never done so when it did not have something to do with the FML or what I have read here. (Well, perhaps, once or twice, and that was totally out of line). I think that, sometimes, we all get caught up in our own aggendas and self importance. I know that I do. What results is that we don't take the time to listen to each other. Then we end up debating about whether or not a particular food is better, or not, for our little guys. I don't think any of us are dummies. We would never intentionally feed anything to our babies that does not nurture them. Information is a good thing. Must the debate run on and on ad naseum? I could make a very good case that the water in DeKalb County, Georgia is the best in the nation, but I will not undertake a campaign to say that it is the ONLY water that ferrets should drink. Probably ruined a perfectly good business idea with that statement. I keep coming back to the simple statement that, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think that the information that is so freely exchaned on the FML is a wonderful and good thing. I find it distressing that our good Vets have recently found the need to put disclaimers on their free and helpful advice. Has someone threatened to sue them? Don't laugh. I have on file two private letters in which FML members threatened to sue each other because of a natural disaster and one member's response to it. No, I will not make them public. Don't ask. They were forwarded to me in confidence and that is how they shall remain. The point is that such things should never have happened. I know that I'm too sensitive and naive about things such as this. I do, however, have feelings about them and feel that I have the right to express them. You have the right to ignore and disagree with anything I say. Please, I'd like to hear from you. Perhaps I need to grow in my thinking about many things? I sincerely hope so. Don't send letters to me or my friends that are dripping with venom. Don't get your feelings hurt and go away. Don't sulk. Let's talk. Perhaps we can learn something from each other? Enough of that! Sorry that I rambled again. Please remember that I studied very hard to be able to ramble so well. I really am trying to get ovet it. It certainly is gratifying that Tater, Odie, Mee Maw and I have found so many good friends on the FML It pained us terribly when we had to suspend the publication of the PML when it was approaching 250 members. We had other things that we had to take care of. Love is such a wonderful treasure. It is the best when it is unexpectadly received. For that we must thank you. Oh wow! I just read the last few lines. I'm getting pretty full of it! Sorry. Guess it's time to go to bed. Thanks for enjoying our stories and taking the time to say so. Please understand that I do get grumpy sometimes. Oh yes, got a letter in the mail today. It was a 'letter of intent' or some such thing. I didn't understand all the 'lawyerese', but I think I done sold a story! Joy to the world!!! Paw Paw "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees." - Dr. Suess. "I am the Paw Paw. I speak for the Lorax." - Mee Maw done put me up to that one. [Posted in FML issue 1581]