Some other reasons to not go with PETA -- that group and its reps have (as recently as a few months back -- in Jane Magazine with it's very anti-ferret editor's comments later on top of the insults of the original piece) said that ferrets are vicious, disease carrying, outlawed in places they aren't, not able to be vaccinated when they are, not domesticated, not pets, and that they are wild animals which should be turned loose (when the result is most typically a painful death within days). Obviously, they haven't bohtered to learn anything before they spout off. Two groups which HAVE been reported here for having at times helped with a disreputable breeder/seller/distributor/importer are the ASPCA and Associated Humane Societies. BTW, Roger Caras (ASPCA President) has been trying to explain the very things the PETA people still don't understand for ages. Judge Mills Lane: Well, gee, I can't say enough good -- about anyone who avoids the show!!!!!!!! The only good things were the camera people who managed to get some fine shots and the micing staff, i.e. the tech people. Remembering that several FML witnesses described how the staff of the show carefully and repeatedly instructed Jean to be SURE to interrupt if something wrong was said, and that Jean was not permitted to submit most of her evidence including the Caller ID records which showed that the people hadn't called I went into the show with an interesting perspective and here's what I came away thinking: 1. That I am glad I never tried watching the show before because I absolutely can't stand the pedantic attitude of the judge and his whiny "neeeahhhh-neeahhhh" berating. It's not his accent nor his high pitch; I lived with a very dear friend who has both for 3 years. It was that combination of whining mixed with the bully-boy tantrums and the looking-down-his-nose garbage. Made me think he was a two year old brat. I hope this is just his stage persona for the show because it was horrid!!!!! He comes over as rubbing salt into wounds for the fun of it, thinking that he's the only one in the world with half a brain, having the self-control of an infant, etc. I find it IMPOSSIBLE to believe he can be this bad in real life and still have amounted to anything so can't help but wonder what this will do to his dignity, reputation, and respect long term. How can anyone stand to see an adult do this to himself? No money is worth it. 2. That the producers are trying to get something which holds the Jerry Springer crowd but has a tattered (so that people can peep through the holes) mantle of respectability and to heck with the reality. 3. That each conflict they showed was as pre-judged and set-up as Jean's. 4. That the producer has no respect for possible viewers and does not expect that any of same will want to have the actual evidence considered and any degree of balance exercised. Also, that the people who willingly choose to watch it with this theatrical bent might deserve that level of respect. 5. That the producer might have had people "work the crowd". 6. That it was an insult to my intelligence to even watch and that I won't be doing so again. REET: Go to http://www.ferretcentral.org and read the Natural History FAQs. (This site and the AFIP site are also about the best health sites you'll find.) Steve and I also mix high quality ferret food in with Totally Ferret (as well as sometimes using A/D and our own foods), and you all know that we've had ferrets for over 15 years with fine results. Maybe she figures people won't be able to tell what would qualify as a high quality food. QUESTION: why did your vet find it was "easier" to sterilize younger kits than older ones? When hand feeding by syringe must be done (spoons, singing, competition, Winstrol, etc. don't work or are counter-indicated) DO be aware of the risk of aspiration and the dangers of smothering or lung infection that can bring. We use a type of syringe which we have found gives better control for allowing those all important (!) breathing breaks and not putting in too much at once. Others who have tried it have also liked it. It's not ideal, but it's better than the alternatives we've tried. It is an infant/child medicine syringe which has an accordian pleat top, a wide hole, a large chamber, and the top is blue with a clown face imprint on it in the same color. You'll find them on hanging cards at the pharmacy. [Posted in FML issue 2586]