Okay, I mostly lurk but I feel compelled to add my .02. It is my distinct impression that Julie was simply pointing out that if your ferret is having a medical problem and you want everyone to read the post you should make it as clear and easy to understand as possible. I did not interpret is as Julie saying that 'ferretspeak' is bad per se, just that it may be skipped by many people who only have a few minutes to scan the FML, quickly, for anything useful or urgent. I am one of those people. If I have a half hour to read and respond to my personal email then I am having a very good day. Please feel free to post in any manner which you see fit (assuming it passes BIG's criteria). Just be aware that many of us speed-read the FMS and we may not stop to decipher a 'ferretspeak' post but simply assume that it is not urgent but merely intended to amuse. We are a diverse community and there are many reasons why each of us reads the FML. Please let's not waste BIG's time and bandwidth sniping at each other about whether or not baby talk on the FML is appropriate or not. It is NEITHER--it just is. Remember that first and foremost we are here to serve as a forum for ferret owners to share information and assist each other when that is possible. Regards, Gail Snyder Shochet Elie, Pixel, Kiaya, Pepe, and Scully [Posted in FML issue 2446]