Before this heart attack event is described- let me thank Liz for 'A Fuzzys' Wish.' That was a wonderful poem that must so well capture the thoughts of millions of ferrets-sadly. If only they could speak, we would not be able to treat them so horrendously without others knowing and laws being written to protect them. And I loved Bob C. opening up a discussion on number of ferrets owned simply by sharing his Opinions on His life and His ferrets. A ferret slut,eh? Just can't say no kind of guy. Thank you for sharing yourself with us so openly. My apologies to you for those people who did not read what you wrote. The Big Scare I captured an old starving feral cat a few years ago. We guess he is about 9 years old now. Cat is grumpy, seldom purrs, and is a curmudglin.[sp?] I hold him and speak softly to him and force little kisses and hugs on him daily. He slaps me in the face. He sleeps on my feet cutting off circulation and wakens me around 3:30 A.M. for food. This is as close to marriage as I come. Cat gets very ornery this time of year due to the change of season, and breaks off his harness to explore the neighborhood. He hisses at me and makes menacing deep throat noises. I am giving my gigantic cranky man herbs mixed in its food which calm him down to the point he is bearable that are prescription vet herbs. (****email me if you need help with your cranky feral cat*****] Today, with all of the ferrets playing God knows where while I was in another room, Cat got his paw in the screen door- I GUESS- opened it- and sat out on the porch to be miserable out there. Little, my deaf white, kept nipping my feet, and put a hole in both of my nylons. I did not understand, and tried to play with him. He kept leaving the room. I did not follow. Finally, he had done this leaping biting thing over a long period of time without wanting to play, and it hit me that something was abnormal. I followed him where he led me--to the open screen door. Guys- I was so scared. Every ferret was free roaming it, and only Little was in sight. The thoughts that go through ones' mind-so many different tangents and tangled concepts. The big one was-how many am I going to save? Can I kill the cat with my thoughts? Where is the squeaker? Get Little in the cage fast. No- shut the door first. No- what if one wants to comes back in? Lots of reasons not to have as many ferrets as I do. Here was just one. I was graced by God, my friends. He just thought that since it was just my birthday, I needed a few more grey hairs. All the ferts were in. They may have all been out and come back in. That is my guess as 4 of them were under the couch or sofa by the door. None were asleep. I am going to work now. Just had to share the horror and aging of the morning so when you see me at the Greatest Ferret Show On Earth in a few weeks looking 20 years older you will know why. Lisette [Posted in FML issue 2814]