We are the proud and grateful owners of 2 new fur children, a beautiful sable male who we have named Spartan and a beautiful little albino female who will be known as Athena. We choose Greek (or is it Roman) names because they are such little troopers to have undergone all that they have and still be very sweet and loving little ones. They seem to enjoy being handled and loved on and we are just as much in love with them. Thank you to all who contributed money, rides to their finale destinations, moral support, and anything else I may be forgetting which made their rescue possible. A special thank you to Troy Lynn and her cohorts who got the ball rolling so that these fur children (all 50 or 60 of them) will now be loved fur children to those who will now belong to them. Also I'm posting a response to the DR Robert Steele which David wrote about in yesterday's FML, (I hope this isn't too long BIG) :) Dr. Steele, (This is rather long and has absolutely no personal attacks only a desire to share information and hopefully receive some from you as well.) I am owned by 16 ferrets, the last 4 are rescues that we took in because they needed love and attention, one being near death due to the inexperience of the pet shop (he was severely dehydrated and had a prolapsed rectum) and the other 3 by owners who didn't know much about ferrets. Ferrets, like any other animal, need close supervision around small children tho' not always because they will hurt the children but because small children can also hurt them. I have some ferrets who are quite docile and would not bite unless under extreme duress, one of which didn't bite us when he got caught on a spring in our couch which impaled him and we had to slide him off the wire. Ferrets are quite stoic about pain and will be in terrible pain before you will know about it. I also have temperamental ferrets who I wouldn't trust around adults. It depends on their personality, not just because they are ferrets. Please do not take this as a flame, but as a ferret owner I simply wanted to correct some misunderstandings. I have a wonderful vet who would be more than happy to discuss any concerns you have regarding ferrets and to add to your base knowledge of this wonder critter who never seems to grow up. They love their owners, and they love to play and sleep. If you had told me 4 year ago that I would be a ferret owner, I'd have told you that you were nuts, however after my husband talked me into getting our first ferret, I haven't been able to say no when there's one that needs help. One of the 4 rescues we took in was a terrible bitter (again I must reiterate that a ferrets individual personality plays a roll here), he bit through my finger several times, but we have been able to rehabilitate him (which most ferret shelters do) and he is now a sweetie that loves to be handled and played with. He had been kept in a cage all his life with out interaction with people. He simply needed love and patience and he is now returning it to us. The other 2 rescues we have were abused their entire lives and have never bitten us but love to be held and cuddled, so you can see their personalities are as individual as ours are. They are very intelligent and I can honestly say out of all the pets I've ever owned (and there has been many different kinds) the ferret is my very favorite. My hope is that you will desire to know more about this wonderful little animal and I will leave a URL for you to access. http://www.optics.rochester.edu.8080/users/pgreene/central.html Also I would be interested in the source for your information regarding infants and ferrets in unproved attacks. There is only one incident that I am aware of and that one was iffy because the father was in the room when it happened, asleep(?) during the attack, in which I would have to assume, being a mother of 4 children myself, that the infant would have been screaming. I would be interested in any of your sources for my own information. I hope I have been able to give you some helpful information as well. The web site I have posted for you is very well done and has access to some well know veterinarians who would also be of help if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely Vicky James [log in to unmask] I hope I have helped and not hindered our cause on behalf of those special furry ferts that own us. :) Vicky [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1726]