Ann Gruden of FACT asked me to post the following update on Mira, our rescue who was burned. Also, there is an updated photo on our web site. http://www.ferret-fact.org/Mira6.htm Hello and Happy Holidays to all of Mira's friends! It's been just about a month since we gave everyone and update - so here goes! First -- the BIG news: Mira has started ferret hopping! Well, it really isn't much of a hop as normal ferret's go - but it IS a sideways hop, and it IS most definitely, well, ferrety! It's very heard to describe precisely how Mira manages this neat little trick, given the damage to her front legs. But over the past month we have become far more aggressive with her physical therapy (more in a few moments) and she has begun to loose some of her "baby-fat." Both, I think, have contributed to her newfound activity. I'm not sure exactly where Mira's story last left off - but the first week of December she was back up to Tufts for another evaluation with the burn specialist there. It was a rather brief visit. One of those rechecks where the doctor tells you that you are progressing and makes another appointment for a month later for another check-up (I think we've ALL experienced those types of visits!). He also added two pieces of information, however. One, was a bit more explanation behind his preference to postpone skin graft surgery as long as possible. Apparently, scar tissue is replaced as a wound heals with a different type of texture. He explained it as being similar to a basketweave design. This type of skin has far more flexibility than what initially develops. The doctor wants to wait to see just how much of this type of scar tissue develops before he intervenes. Second, he informed us that he had accepted a position at Angell Memorial in Boston and would be moving there from Tufts at year-end. He managed to book us an appointment during his last few days at Tufts for Mira's next check-up. Following that we will probably need to go to Angell Memorial for future check-ups and her eventual graft surgery. If I could get a camera in close enough, I could show everyone exactly what the extent of the damage is. But if you turned her over (an option she dislikes immensely), you would see a small web of skin between her "armpit" and her chest. This represents both scar tissue and stunted growth from her injuries. This is the area that will eventually require the surgery to give her legs the maximum amount of movement. The biggest challenge has been exercising Mira. Each night we've taken her from the "old lady room" where she's housed to play through our house --- after locking up my alpha "bad boys" who chase down little old ladies and defenseless kits for jollies! But, we can work her little legs and play with her, but it just isn't the same as rough and tumble ferret play -- which Mira can't deal with. Well - it just so happens that Santa brought Mira and early Christmas gift - an 8 to 9 week old jill - Emily Bronte who arrived at the rescue about 10 days ago. Emily is a petite little girl with a wonderful disposition! Because of her size, she hasn't been able to hurt Mira as she plays her baby ferret games. While Mira can't run away, she and Emily managed, very quickly, to work out an accommodation which Emily rarely breaks. We landed up putting Emily in with Mira because the boys in the regular rescue downstairs were just so big and bouncy. Emily was just too small to handle that crowd. So we put her in with the old-timers when she arrived and it's been a godsend to us. Not only does she give some positive "stress" to the old-timers, but also she has been helping Mira exercise. It's just been a "win-win" situation for everyone! We'll update everyone again early next year. [Posted in FML issue 2173]