Hello FMLers, Thanks to all of you who contacted me to help provide a way for this little guy to return home. Today I picked him up from the home of Shelly Brewer, our rescue volunteer for Santa Cruz, and drove him to the airport for a counter to counter--DASH transport to the home of a fellow FMLer, Robert McAllister. Robert lives in Salt Lake and e-mailed me offering to pick the little guy up. Turned out he was also planning to vacation in Kanab, Utah with his family where this little ferret's family lives. Some things just work out that way. Thank you, Robert, for coming forward and helping out. I had generous offers from Kelleen of FANG, Bob Church (before he disappeared and reappeared--after the ferret had been shipped), as well as many others offering to drive this little one home. Folks couldn't have been more generous with their time. It's simply another example of the love and affection these little displaced animals receive from unknown care-givers. Unfortunately, I couldn't take most folks up on their offer to drive the little guy out of state. DFG wasn't too fond of a non-licensed person taking possession, but as it worked out, Robert provided a terrific solution. An unsung hero of this whole thing is Shelly. She paid (are you ready for this?) $102.00 to fly the ferret counter to counter. Cargo would have been cheaper (about 1/2 the price), but the heat prevented us from shipping cargo. Anyway, the young man who owns the ferret was supposed to write a check before we shipped this little guy and didn't come through. We decided to ship anyway because of the considerable effort it took just to set up and orchestrate the flight. Little does this owner know how much money Shelly spent in obtaining his ferret's freedom. Little does this he know how many long distance phone calls were made on his behalf to potential volunteers in Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. )CDFA doesn't reimburse ANY money to ANY of us doing rescue or shelter work. Flights, veterinary services, phone calls, internet time-- all come out of our individual pockets.) Little does this ferret's owner realize how thousands of folks watched and waited and wondered about the fate of his pet. And how many of you generously offered your assistance. If he did know, maybe he'd realize that the $102.00 is a cheap price to pay for the safe return of his pet. Thanks again to all of you. Jeanne Carley [Posted in FML issue 1663]