Please allow me to introduce myself (sorry, Mick just seems to say that perfectly) My name is Lisa Leidig, and I run a 501(c)3 non-profit ferret shelter in Virginia Beach, VA - The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea". I have been on the FML since late 1995/early 1996, I can't remember exactly when, but its been quite a ride! <grin> My real job is much more boring - I am an Information Systems Consultant, specializing in HP 3000 machines. I am lucky -- my SO loves the ferrets as much as I do (he's a big softie) and helps out with the cleaning, care and maintenance of the shelter. The only thing he doesn't do is help with the books...but I think its because I didn't give him the passwords! LOL I own 6 personal ferrets now, and the shelter usually has between 18 and 28 shelter kids at any point. Right now we have 19, with a couple of young ones (under 8mo of age - and both mitts). I have owned ferrets since 1985, and one of my first ferrets Wolf, was my longest-lived -- 10 1/2. My six personal ferrets are: Haven's Die Schwarze Jagerine, or Diana, my german black sable sweetie, aka the pocket rocket; Haven's Legends of Beowulf, or Buster, Diana's brother -- a bulldog sable with roaning; Dijon, my light silver senior, aka Dijonnaise or the condiment ferret; Pele, Dijon's sister, a sable girl with a lot of hidden fire; Misha our resident knucklehead, a big-eared, lopsided cute-as-a-button sable boy; and Bruiser, our very smart thinks-hes-in-charge (Dijon/Diana rule, though) standard sable boy. How many ferrets have I owned? 18 - Sable, Sasha, Wolf, Nicodemus, Shadow, Rascal, Jezebel, Bandit, Yod He Vawhe, Independence Morticia of DBF, Pandamonium, Guinevere, plus my six now. How many have come through my doors as a shelter? Almost 400 -- and some have stayed for a while, others came and found a new home right away. Some were showed the first bit of love and caring that I think they had ever had - others were nursed back to health. Sheltering is one of the hardest and most rewarding things that I have ever done - but I wouldn't trade it for anything. That first 'kiss' from a shelter kid, their first wardance - going out to their new home - makes the tragedies and neglect worth bearing. I 'do' the shows nearby - both AFA and LIFE. I am currently a licensed LIFE Championship judge - and I enjoy the opportunity to see firsthand some of the breeder ferrets and personal pets and be allowed to handle them. I can be seen at shows as far away as the Columbus, OH show - and usually the closer shows to me (PA, NJ, NC, MD). I can't remember how I found the FML, and since I was sheltering before my discovery, its been a godsend - for exchanging information, finding new friends across the world, new techniques/tips, sharing stories of heartbreak and success, and always ferrets, ferrets, ferrets. BIG is the only moderator that I have known, and he is a fine one! Thanks Bill, for all that you do :) Lisa, Head Ferret The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea" www.ferrethaven.org Want to help The Ferret Haven By-the-Sea? Register at iGive.com by cutting and pasting this link: http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?CID=1236&MID=854 [Posted in FML issue 2886]