Hi gang, I guess today is just another day in the life of a shelter mom.... got a call first thing this morning for two to arrive today. They are well taken care of, up on shots and all (thank goodness) and were on a decent diet. Only catch is that they are 5 and 6 years old. Having ECE here makes it necessary to put them in foster care rather than expose them because of their age. For now they are at my mom's with Angel, who is also older and has a seriously advanced adrenal tumor (which was probably ignored for two years!). The females name is Jasmine and, are you ready for this one.... the males name is Fruitloop, well, at least is isn't Bandit (two of those here already). I have lost count completely as to how many ferrets are here (thirty-something), all I can say is that the shelter is FULL!! Oh of course I can take in more, and I will I am certain. It is just that I have reached a point that I never believed possible...that I now have 'enough' fuzzies around me. I am very surprised at this because I believed that if I had a hundred fuzzies here I still would not feel like there were enough to satisfy my "addiction" to them. I cannot put into words how much I love these little fuzzbottoms. If all I had to do was play with them I could probably handle a hundred, gladly. But when you consider the *time* and *energy* it takes to care for them all, I think I have been forced to realize my limits. When it comes to the *financial* part to support them, I have passed that 'limit' long ago, but with the help of all of you, and the shelter sponsors and other wonderful people who help with some of the expenses, (not to mention my patient vets) I am keeping them all fed and cared for. (Though the vet bills are piling up.) Now, I don't want to give anyone the wrong impression, that perhaps the kids are not getting enough attention, etc., or that I am "burning out" or tiring of this. That is *not* the case. Every single kid here gets more than his or her share of love, kisses, playtime, toys, food, treats, etc., etc., and they always will. I still love what I do and would not change it for the world, my only wish is that we could reduce the number of 'needy' fuzzies out there who have to come to shelters and find new homes. Oh, by the way, the new little boy (the former biter) gave me kisses today!!!! And, NO, he never offers to bite me at all, not since his second day here. Just shows you what "love" can do. White Fang... Got a call today from Bob!! He expects to get White Fang to me here around the 18th. I can't wait. He says she is doing wonderful, though she is keeping him on his toes. He says she follows him around like a puppy dog, and sleeps curled in his arms. (I think he is just hinting that *he* should keep her.) Yes, Bob, I know what you are up to! I am just concerned that she does not get along with other ferrets and rumor has it that you have one or two of your own. We will have to discuss all these things when you arrive. I only want the best for her, and I know that is what you want too. Standard proceedure here is to quarantine and evaluate the ferrets' personality for at least 3 weeks before they are even up for adoption. I also like to 'visit' the kids in their new home periodically, and since I can't travel much, MO is quite a stretch to make an adoption, though I am not exactly saying no, I just need more information about several things, after all, I haven't even met her yet. Well, I also have 6 boarders coming in Thursday so things should get quite interesting. I have run completely out of fingers and toes, so I cannot even count that high. Ooops, phone is ringing <again> so I gotta go. Talk to you all later. Trish [Posted in FML issue 1659]