Today I received some sad news. Putz, my first rescue, crossed the bridge last night. I could not have been more excited when I became a ferret owner in 1992. Kit, my first ferret (who is still going strong) was a great replacement for a bad marriage. I knew so little about ferrets, and started reading everything I could get my hands on. By 1996, I had acquired two fuzzies (Powder) and thought I was in ferret heaven! I went into the local pet store and there in a cage was a sign that said "Used Ferret." I stopped dead in my tracks - how could there be a such a thing as a 'used ferret'? The owner of the store explained to me that this ferret was no longer wanted by his family and they had given him up. He was alone in the cage, curled up in a ball and sleeping. He looked so lonely, and though I could not really afford it, I paid the $60.00 and left with Putz. The store owner told me when I purchased him that he had a better chance than most. Most were given to shelters or humane societies or worse. I could not ever imagine there being a used ferret, and Putz became my first rescue. I got involved with the local ferret society, and started helping with rescues. Soon my brood grew from 3 to 20 - with several ferrets in and out of my home. I learned about ferrets both inside and out. I worked to provide homes to fuzzies so there would never again be a used ferret. Putz found a wonderful home earlier this year with a caring couple who needed a ferret that would be content to sit on a lap and be loved. While he was alive Putz touched hearts too numerous to count. He dressed up every year as Santa and tolerated me and the weather as we raised money to help other ferrets. Skeeter, if you are listening, welcome Putz to the clan. Tell him I miss him. Tell him me and many others loved him. Let him know that because of him many fuzzies have found safe and loving homes. May there never be such a thing as a 'used ferret.' Liane Novick Beckwith Acting Director Washington State Ferret Association "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" Albert Einstein [Posted in FML issue 2869]