It's been a good day today. Little sable "Ryan" was turned over to her legal owners today and made a little girl so very happy to get her "kissing" ferret back in her arms. Her Mom had tears in her eyes at this joyful renunion here in the Ferrets NorthWest FNW reception room. "Ryan" was picked up by me on August 17, 1998 from the occupant of a XXXX house at 6XXX South Ryan Street in Seattle in the early afternoon. The occupant, a considerate middle-aged man, called me to please come and pick up this very friendly little ferret that had wondered into his back yard and into his house through a partially opened sliding glass patio door. His dogs alerted him to the ferret's presence by their barking and their unusual and menacing behavior. Unknown to us at the time was the fact that the ferret had ventured outside (the owner's home) and frequently returned thru the doggie-door as she had seen the family dogs do so many times before. She was friendly with the family dogs and up to this episode had never (?) met any other dogs. Apparently these new dogs were not as friendly as the dogs at home and this relationship worried the man of the house (he had thought to keep the little girl) to the extent that he called Ferrets NorthWest FNW to report a "found" ferret. After picking up the ferret I gave the gentleman with the two dogs my FNW card and as usual asked him to give out the new location of the ferret to whomever he might notice was in search of her. My usual caution note to him was not to divulge to anybody the specifics of this foundling ferret, but only that he found "it" (was not to give even the sex of the ferret nor any of the identifying characteristics.) The legal owners of ferret "Ryan" had posted some 15 to 20 "Lost Ferret" posters on telephone poles and walls throughout the neighborhood only to be arrested and charged with $20 fine per poster (total fine in xs of $300.00) for defacing Puget Sound Power poles with their posters. The owners redoubled their efforts at posting with local vets, with stores of all kinds and even at the local tavern. Apparently, the finder of "Ryan" finally spotted one of the posters, (maybe he's a beer drinker?) got in touch with the owners and told them the ferret was being held at Ferrets NorthWest FNWon Mercer Island (Washington State near Seattle). So last week they called and pretty well ID'd the ferret over the phone and arranged an appointment for today to visit the FNW shelter ferretarium (housing 38 ferrets currently). As it turned out "Ryan" was in fact "Missy," all 1 pound 9 ounces of her. Missy went back home tonight to a very happy home and Ferrets NorthWest FNW is the recipient of a $100 donation from the relieved and delighted owners. This is the experience that brings joy to the hearts of all concerned and makes up for the many long and tedious hours of cage cleanings and maintenance in this 1-man shelter. It also eases, a little bit, the pain and anguish felt for the not too well chosen words of the erudite one who has hurt the feelings and eroded the respect of so many of the shelter operators with his derogatory and, and I believe, misdirected criticisms. I'm reminded of the philosophical poster on the wall in the FerretsNorthWest FNW reception room that reads, "When all is said and done, more is said than done." Edward Lipinski of Ferrets (and soon to be!) Skunks NorthWest F & S NW. (See Note) Also residing with a hissing and sputtering, steely grey ranch mink known as Miss Minkie and a beautiful black/white (integrated) magpie that says, "Come on in" "Come over here." "Here kitty." and gives out with the characteristic wolf whistle any time a pretty personage graces our reception room. Her name: Miss Maggie. (Or it's maybe Mr. Maggie?) Note Taking your haltered and leashed ferret for a walk undoubtably attracts the curious, but guess what happens when also you take your skunk for a walk at the same time! It's kinda like ... push - pull; not the critters but the people. Tomorrow: Copy of FNW's RECLAMATION OF LOST & RECOVERED ANIMAL BY LAWFUL OWNER, a must form for every shelter that returns a foundling ferret (or skunk) to its legal owner. It's a CYA document. [Posted in FML issue 2523]