Dear EVERYBODY, It's Christmas and here may be the perfect way to give the perfect gift to a needy little ferret. A wonderful idea has just come to me and I hope you all think it is too and act upon it today! Even though there are hundreds of us all about that cannot take in even one more ferret right now and give it a good home, how about us all going to or calling our nearest ferret shelter and asking them if we can please be the foster parents for a fuzzy for their life there at the shelter? Most of us are aware of how all of the shelter operators have so many little ones to care for and how the cumulative expenses for all can be quite a bit for them to handle. If several people would foster even one little fuzzy by providing the cost of food, vaccinations, vet expenses including surgery if we can, it would be like we are their loving caregivers too! They could give us a picture of "our" little fuzzy and we can post it where we are sure to remember to send something to meet their needs. The shelter folks can give us updates if the little ones find a good loving home, or have specific needs from time to time. (Many ferrets will not be adopted out from some of our shelters because the owners/operators are only letting them go to known homes. That is because most of them come from really bad places and the shelter folks don't want to risk that these little ones ever have a bad experience again. So please don't be offended if an operator cannot let you adopt a ferret if you should want to while there. After all it is the best interest of the ferrets we are all wanting anyway, right?) You might even be able to pick your own little fuzzy to sponsor and caregive too! Call the shelter first and tell them what you would like to do, then set up a time to come look for your special little one. Tell them that you cannot adopt one, but you would like to give a donation to lend a helping hand and have a share in the little one's life, now and as long as needed. If you are not ready for a long time committment, you may select one that you would like to give something special to like the cost of food, vaccinations for one year for example. Ask for a picture of the little ferret or better yet,bring your camera along and ask if you can take a picture of him/her. Make sure everyone understands that you have no ownership claims other than just love and help that is freely given. Have a ball and give a ferret other than your own a wonderful gift at this giving time of the year! I am getting on the ball and picking one to foster as soon as I close here!! PS If you are not finding a shelter to find a fuzzy to sponsor, call me and I will get acquainted with the bestest I know of in the whole wide world!! Jan and the 11 foot warmers at Gracie's Place [Posted in FML issue 2510]