Hello All, I will warn you, I am more than a little upset about something I have read on the FML, I will try my best to contain myself, but you are forwarned. I normally don't read this person's posts anyway, it was mentioned to me today and I went back to see it for myself. On judging someone by how they look, dress, what kind of car, ANYTHING that is appearance only, to me, is appalling. My late grandfather retired to a small town. He fished everyday after my Grandma died. He lived on social security and had very little money. After a bit he made friends with another little old man who fished alot at the same place he did. The man drove a beat up early 50's pickup, wore worn clothes and fished with a little aluminum boat and putt putt motor. After fishing with his new friend for several months, he asked what the man did before he retired. Come to find out, the little old man wasn't even retired, he was too busy running the store he founded, Wal-Mart. Yep, Sam Walton. As for me. My ex makes around $150K a year, gets a company car, and we lived in a very yuppy neighborhood. I dress now as I did then, jeans and t-shirts and sweatshirts. Again, the way I look has nothing to do with what I will do, who I am or anything else. I am a short, fat liitle broad with out of control curly hair, that currently has 2 inch roots because I am trying to not dye it again. I live in my jeans. I have worn muddy jeans to school because I was late, and the dog jumped up on me with muddy feet. I don't wear makeup, allergic to most of it. I drive a 7 year old car that has a cracked windshield (no time to fix it) and dents (thanks to the ex's wonderful driving). It ain't rusting, and I would rather spend the $1000 to fix it on something else. I like my car, it runs great and it is paid for. Why do I need a new one? I have dated 3 guys since my divorce. I have no desire to put out a lot of effort on dating at the moment, because I am judged by the way I look. Most men wouldn't go out with me because of my weight. And I honestly think that those that did thought I would be easy to get into bed, because of my weight. Does that have anything to do with my value as a human being? No, but it is still a hard battle to tell yourself that it is *their* problem, not yours. And to top it all off, this judging of appearance was stated by someone who received donations from this very forum to help with ferret care. If you won't adopt to those who might need some help, then why in the hell are you running a shelter? Would you meet your own guidelines? I know many shelter owners who go without a lot to provide for thier animals. Fine. But to judge someone's willingness and ability to take care of an adopted animal by the way they dress? Oh come on. In Houston the shelters use a provision in the adoption agreement, if you can't pay for care, bring the animal back to us and we will figure something out. Even if someone can do routine things, what if their finances change in the future and they can't afford $1000 for treatment? Not a lot of folks can. And it has nothing to do with how good an adopted family they might be. Especially when you are talking in ONLY possibilities. What if the ferret never gets sick and dies at a ripe old age? Having money does not equate with a willingness to care for an animal. I have known folks who make what the ex does and would rather put an animal down than spend money on it. I have also known folks who would go without for themselves in order to pay for medical care for their pets. I am sorry, but I think that some folks might need a bit of a reality check on this one. After all, we are talking about animals that to many, look mean, viscious and wild. Ignorance. Pure and simple. Maggie Mae, Madder than Hell in Mid Mo [Posted in FML issue 2158]