Hi, everyone, it's me again. I'm sorry to say I feel this must be said before the flames erupt.. OK, let me back up and explain why I'm writing this. First, I posted a quary on the FML (March 4 issue) about an article I read in Ferret USA and raisins. While reading today's post, I found Bill & Diane Killian's posted an answer. Now don't get me wrong, I wanted input, that's why I posted, but the Killian's reply was what I would say, critical. I have read a lot of their replies to quaries of others and it seems that they are that way with everyone. What upsets me is, that I feel they either did not fully read my post or they misunderstood what I said and now I fear that flames may flare by others who did not read my first post. In the beginning of their message they insinuate that I stated the article mentioned a paticular brand of ferret food by name. I did not, I REPEAT, I DID NOT SAY THAT!!!!! The article DID NOT mention any brand of ferret food by name, however, it did tell what percentages of protein and fat to look for to maintain the proper pH balance for ferrets. Instead, in my posting, I made the statement I personally use 8 in1 Ultra-blend and that it is made with raisin juice and wondered if my Fizzgig and Benny might not be digesting their food properly. I am not uneducated and, YES, I know there is a difference between the juice and the fruit itself, however, juices can and do sometimes have the same properties as the fruit or vegetable they are from. IE, why do you think we humans have the same reaction rather we eat prunes or we drink a glass of prune juice? The Killians reply for almost the first 2/3's of a page, (Yes, I printed it out and it's a page and a quarter long) did nothing but criticize magazine publications and Ferret USA as being FANCY and full of puff articles. Here I want to go on public record as saying, "this is the Killians personal view and NOT MINE! And I want to apologize to any who may read the FML that may be connected with Ferret USA, their publisher and those who have written articles for them. I personally find the articles well written and informative and the pictures are artfully done and adorable. They said of Dr. Sadler, quote, "This guy wants to sell his brand of food" unquote. AGAIN, I WILL SAY, DR. SADLER DID NOT RECOMMEND HIS OR ANY BRAND OF FERRET FOOD IN HIS ARTICLE! They also said, quote "Dr. Sadler is probably a very good man and we have no evidence to the contary" unquote. The Killians admitted they have not even read the article, still they reproached his creditability in view of the fact he is Director of Mazuri diets and wrote the article with bias! And though Dr. Sadler may be employed by a animal diet company, I feel that he must have been and more than likely is involved with ferret nutrition research. The Killian's questioned this and even questioned if this man even owned a ferret. Rather he is owned by a ferret or not, the fact remains that this man is a Ph.D. I have perused the Killian's home page on the net and have not seen anything about their educational degrees in animal nutritional research. The fact that Dr. Sadler not only holds the position of Director of Zooloical Mazuri diets, but he directs research efforts at Purina Mills tells me he is somewhat involved in RESEARCH and holding these positions also tells me that his Ph.D. must have somthing to do with animal nutrition. I am quite sure that Purina Mills would not employ someone in that post with a degree in engineering or language arts! One more thing, NO! I do not *know* for absolute fact, 100% positive proof, or unequivocally that chocolate is toxic to ferrets and that any ferret has ever died because of it. What I do know his hearsay at best, but the way I understand the hearsay is, that ferrets cannot digest chocolate and it CAN lay in their digesive system and CAN BECOME TOXIC! To be honest, I don't want to take the chance nor do I wish to be the one to have the honor of the first post on the FML to prove that chocolate can kill ferrets, because one of my fuzziebutts had died because of eating it. Lastly, I am a computer tech and tend to analyze as a computer would. I get every bit and bite of informational input, then process, crunch, and database it onto the great hardrive the Good Lord put in everyone's head and make my own conclusions as to my personal use of the data. Again, the post I made was to get advice and input about feeding raisins to ferrets and if I should be concerned that the food I USE may not be fully digestable! Not open a debate on the creditability of a Ph.D. and his reasoning for submitting an article or whether magazines publish articles for the sake of advertizing. Sandy. [Posted in FML issue 1865]