This morning Chris and I dropped Tia off for his chemo treatment with Dr. Kowalowich at Dr. Brondwin's. I always pay with a cheque, since we pay Dr. K directly (Dr. B provides everything other than the actual drug, like the Isoflourane and the table space etc). When I tried to hand Doug, the tech, a cheque, he waved it away and said that someone from the Internet had called and wanted to pay for the remainder of the chemo sessions! I tried to worm this wonderful person's name out of Doug, but he insisted the person preferred to remain anonymous and was tight lipped about the whole thing. So I haven't even a clue who has done this amazingly generous thing, but in case that person is here, THANK YOU so much! Not only is it a great financial relief for the shelter, but it's also the mark of a truely great person. This is why I love the ferret community. Tia is motoring along just fine now, and even does some low level war dancing across the floor. If he tries it on the linoleum, he loses his balance and spins out of control. If he does it on the carpet it still looks silly, but it's a lot more coordinated. His leg will never totally heal, as he is missing major muscle groups there, but he can scoot along pretty fast for an old guy, never mind an old guy with a bum leg! He's putting on weight at a slow but steady rate, and he eats on his own now. Tia is a marvelous example of never giving up hope. His good nature and patience should be a lesson for all of us humans. In spite of everything he has suffered, still he places his utmost trust in people and somehow knows that we'll treat him well. We adore Tia in this house, and have almost forgotten that he was ever ill. We have great hopes for his future, because his whole attitude has made such a marvelous turn around -- we can only hope that his medical situation has done the same. Even our dog plays extra gentle with him, and although he has trouble seeing her, he still manages to hunt her down eventually. Yesterday he even hissed at her. And everyday he takes his Prednisone off my finger, and licks my finger really well to be sure he hasn't missed anything (and I'm sure that has nothing to do with the Ferretvite I hide the Pred in :) ) So once again, Tia sends his warmest regards to his kind benefactor. It never ceases to amaze me, what ferret owners can accomplish when we work together, and the generosity of so many people has really warmed my heart. Sometimes running a shelter can be the most depressing activity imaginable, but when people like Tia's benefactor's come along it gives us renewed faith and drive to keep going. Sheena Wherret Ferrets Halfway House and Ferretry Ferret Association of Greater Vancouver [Posted in FML issue 1698]