We sent Trish's post to Sally Heber of the AFA. We've included below some of her message back to us. This isn't really a response. The AFA and Sally Heber don't engage in tit for tat exchanges. We've decided to write a more formal response since it was us and our friends that were insulted. What we write is not an official AFA response, it is our personal opinions. We've just been very busy this week. bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sally Heber Subject: reply [...] It sounds like she had her mind made up before she even arrived at the show that she wasn't going to like it. The attendance was around 400 give or take about 50. There were 40 ferret exhibitors alone and 20+ vendor spaces sold so if each exhibitor and vendor had 2 people, that makes 120 and invariably, there are more than 2 people with each exhibitor and vendor. I can think of at least 5 shelters that were there to place animals. I don't know how many were placed. [...] The email message sounded like she didn't feel a part of the show and didn't make it a point to introduce herself or ask any questions. If you recall, there was a table set up where anyone could ask questions about the judging (2 hours worth) and also a vet was there for 1 1/2 hours to answer questions with the procedes going towards local ferret rescues. Just goes to show that one only sees what one wants to see. I can't see AFA spending its precious time or resources answering sour grapes when we have more important things to do that concern the rabies issues, veterinary education nationwide, public education through many channels, putting out publications, answering phone, mail, and email coorespondance, servicing our members, taking active participation in writing laws, regulations, ordinances, etc.. that impact the ferrets, among many, many other things with a paid staff of ONE and some volunteers. [...] [Posted in FML issue 1787]