BAILEY UPDATE UPDATE

OK, so the swelling and scabbing was just too much. I decided to get Bailey in to the vet first thing this morning and I'm really glad I did. The wounds were abscessing and infected. Dr. D. shaved his little noggin and drained the wounds. Now you can clearly see two teeth punctures from the sabre-toothed ferret that got hold of him. Not pretty, but it looks better than the mess he had before the vet cleaned him up.

He got a shot of penicillin and some oral antibiotic (Clavamox). And she told me to put Preparation H on his wounds. Apparently, it's not just for hemorrhoids anymore...

We got home from the vet and Bailey was war dancing and dooking and crunching his kibble. Now he is blissfully asleep, dreaming, I'm sure, of the day he can kick Milo's ass.

Milo, interestingly enough, has been searching all over for Bailey (I have Bailey separated from the others - in the back part of the house). He's seemed a bit anxious. This morning he came and laid at my feet and then rolled over on his back. Awwwwww!!! So I picked him up and gave him lots of lovies and told him that I still love him very much, no one is mad at him and everything is going to be OK. Then, he just bounced off and went to play with the others, all happy again.

Tell me they don't have minds.....

I'm still thinking about the poor little ferret, Buddy, who is stuck at the SPCA. Man, I dunno. I so want to go get him, but, considering all the 'trauma drama' that just went down this week; not to mention the fact that I had to pay the vet with a post-dated check today....I have no business adopting another one. Hubby would really be pissed and I really need to consider the expense of these guys. It's important to me that they are properly cared for. That they get to the vet when they need it, they get their shots, their heartworm preventative...decent food...all that. AND my attention and time.

It breaks my heart, but I can't save them all. I want to. But I can't. I'm not doing myself any favors by looking at sites like the SPCA and Craigslist. It just adds to my heartbreak. Now, I have this little guy that I've never met, pictured in my head, sitting at the SPCA -- waiting for someone to love him.

GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! I hate it. It's so freaking unfair.

A FERRET NAMED BUDDY

One thing I do is watch craigslist and the SPCA listings to just keep myself informed on the state of homeless ferrets and ferrets needing to be rehomed. OK, I hate it, but I won't get on my soapbox. I did that with my very first post. Check the archives (January 2009) if you are curious as to what I said about the evil craigslist....

Anyway, I'm looking at the Houston SPCA listings and they have one little ferret named Buddy. They don't have a photo of him and they don't state his age. He's been there since 12/8/09. All by himself. I haven't laid eyes on this little guy, but my heart is just breaking for him. The SPCA doesn't have facilities or personnel to let Buddy out of his cage for playtime. So he's been in his cage since December. And God knows what the situation was that brought him there in the first place.

Every day I look to see if Buddy's listing is still there, or if he's found a home. Every day his listing pops up. I just can't stand the thought of this little one all alone, caged....cared for I'm sure..but missing out on love and enrichment. It brings me to tears.

So I decided that if, by Friday, Buddy hasn't found a home, I'm going down there. I want to see him. Bring him home? Strongly possible. Huge risk because K. will be pissed. It's a chance I'm willing to take for the sake of this little one.

IN OTHER NEWS: Bailey went to the rescue today to visit and get his mouth swabbed for his ADV test. Poor little guy was kind of scared -- all the new smells and ferrets and people chatting. But he finally warmed up and came home all worn out. AND>>>We adopted out three ferrets today!!! That was just awesome! I am very happy!

Angel's little bruise (or whatever it is) looks a little better today. I thought it might be a mast cell tumor, but I'm really thinking it's a bruise. Still watching close. She may need a CBC to check her platelet count. She's had some bruising on her tummy a couple of weeks ago. They come and go fast, but I think it's a concern I need to take to the vet. We go Feb. 8.

That's my news for the day. It sure is quiet right now. I guess everyone's asleep. Not a bad idea...

OUCH! THAT REALLY HURT....

Some people who live in a neighborhood across from us found a little ferret. She just appeared in their garage. They've tried to find the owners, but had no luck, so she is coming into rescue. I have her right now (in strict isolation) and will take her to Dana on Saturday. She is a beautiful little thing - a silver mitt that looks a lot like Baby. From what I can tell, she is about a year old. God, the owners must be frantic. Brings back memories of when I lost Rocky over the summer. Devestating, for sure.

The family that found her named her Darby, which I think is adorable and fits her. She's a little shy right now. No pic of her (I'm trying to stay unattached...mmrrrr) But here is a cute little pic I snapped of Angel and Baby hanging out in the hammock last night:

Speaking of Baby, that little rat bit me tonight. Totally hurt my feelings. My fault. Princess Misty was in Baby's cage, annoying her. I reached my hand in the cage to pet her and she didn't know it was me and swung around and bit me. Hurt like hell. :( I know she didn't mean it - she is a very sweet and lovable little girl. It was totally my fault for suprising her when she was already being defensive.

This is now the second time I have put my hand in the middle of a ferret confrontation and got the shit-end of the stick. The third time may just have me lose a finger....GAH!!!

STOPPING THE BLEEDING

Gee Whiz, has it really been two months since I've written here? OMG, don't know where the time goes...

Well, let's see, that last time I wrote, Misty had just been adopted and graduated to the Big Cage with the boys. Things are going well between them ~ even Misty and Ziggy are getting along for the most part. Misty still likes to show everyone that she is the boss by pooping wherever she pleases; like, say, the middle of the living room floor...But we are working on it. The thing about picking a ferret up when they are in the middle of "doing their business", is that they don't STOP doing their business and you wind up with a trail of business all the way from the original poop spot to the potty pad...not fun.

And while I am talking about Misty -- she had a growth on her back foot. I think it is called a sebaceous adenoma, which is a benign growth that can get pretty nasty. I had it removed last Wednesday and everything was fine. Then on Thursday night she came to me wih blood all over her. I'm not kidding, she was covered. Needless to say, I freaked. I grabbed her up and saw that she'd somehow knocked the scab off the surgical wound and it was bleeding like a sieve. I'm by myself (hubby is still out of town) and I'm trying to calm her and myself down, put pressure on the wound, call Dana (because I'm panicking). Now there is blood all over Misty, me, the sink, the floor. I'm thinking she is seriously going to bleed to death. Dana encouraged me to keep putting pressure on it and then when it slows down, using cornstarch. I did that and it finally stopped.

My goodness. Never a dull moment.

I have also adopted the three foster fuzzies I had: Smokey, Baby and Angel. I adopted them and immediately got Angel in to get her adrenal surgery. That was about ten days ago and she is doing fabulously. She is busy as ever, prancing around like the little princess she is. Her prognosis is fair to favorable and I feel very confident about her recovery. I can't wait to see what she looks like with hair on her tail and back! :D

So currently, I have nine ferrets and no fosters. But I'm still very involved in the rescue. I struggled for a little while - things happened that caused some uncertainty on whether or not I would stay. But, it's my destiny to help these little guys out. Happily, it wll turned out for the good of all concerned.

OK, I will be better at keeping up with this blog. I love writing about my furr kids - they are always teaching me new things!

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

Two of my foster fuzzies:

(L) Baby (aka,'Koosh") , (R) Smokey

Last Monday a distemper shot for Rocky (which always makes me sooo nervous, but he did just fine). Yesterday glucose checks on Dave (my blind guy) and Baby (one of my fosters, who I call 'Koosh'). Baby's glucose was fine -- Dave, notsomuch. Dave's glucose level was 53, which points to insulinoma. So we broke out the Prednisone.

I'm glad I had them checked. Dave shows no real symptoms...I just did it as part of a check-up because he turned 5 years a couple of months ago. When it read borderline, we waited and repeated it. Hopefully, we are catching it early.

I had Koosh checked because she seems so non-energetic to me. Is happy just sleeeeeeping away. So I was worried. Now those worries are put to rest! (Better safe than sorry) Baby is just a little mellowed out girl...and I'm not so used to mellow! LOL!

Smokey (another foster, aka, 'Stretch' and 'Tex') has this annoying little mast cell tumor on his head he will not quit scratching. So I had Dr. Dori look at it. She said to just keep putting Benadryl cream on it. Dana said I can give him Children's Liquid Benadryl, too, which I need to do, I guess. Poor little guy...

CALENDARS ARE READY!!

WHOO HOO! The calendars that I have been sweating furr balls over are complete and ready to sell. These are custom calendars that I have created for 2010. Each month features a photo collage of our rescue fuzzies and the humans that take care of them. The proceeds go to help fund our rescue, Forever Homes Wanted Ferret Rescue. They are a bargain at $ 18. If interested in purchasing one, please leave your info in the comment OR email me at:

susanmbaker@sbcglobal.net

Please support your local rescue! Thanks!!!

BOYS vs. GIRLS

Sunny asked me if I notice a difference between the personalities of my boy ferrets and girls ferrets. Definitely! The boys are either "down to business" or just plain silly. They tend to prank one another by stealing and hiding each other's toys or pouncing a sleeping victim, waking him up and then running away. They like to romp and rough-house...their play is all boy.

The girls (for the most part) are more mellow and chill. They are quite assertive and tend to get their way. They play more gently and their games are not the rough and tumble fare that the boys like.

Of course, the similarities tend to outweigh the differences. Some love to be held and doted over. Others are always squirming the get down and look for an adventure. Some enjoy sleeping the day away in a favorite snuggle spot. Others take short naps and come out to investigate regularly. I have a girl who digs her food something awful and a boy who (loves it) digs his water. A couple of my boys are organized and neat-niks (a place for every toy and every toy in it's place, thankyouverymuch) and I have some really messy girls.

So, now that I think about it, perhaps it really isn't a difference in gender, but just a personality thing. I love that everyone of my fuzzkids is different.

In health news:

Snow is doing so well -- the medicine for his heart seems to be working great. He bounces and weasle dances all over the place and has a good appetite. This makes me so happy. He and Ziggy are learning to tolerate one another...the squirmishes between them occur less frequently, thank goodness.

I took Baby (foster girl) in to see Dr. Dori last week because she seemed a bit depressed, had some diarrhea and wasn't eating good. She was given Tylan for a GI infection and it was also discovered that she had an abcess around one of her grooming teeth. She ended up having two teeth and the abcess removed and she is doing much better. Poor Baby Girl.

Smokey is struggling with a mast cell tumor on his head. I get it almost cleared up and he goes and scratches it and makes it bleed. Ugh. He has also been threatened with a vet visit if he doesn't leave it alone! Either that, or an Elizabethian collar! (I may have to make one out of a plastic cup! LOL!) He's also shedding something terrific. Not sure what that is about, unless his little body rhythm is off. Hmm. Note to self: A check up may be in order for Smokey Bear....

My little adrenal foster, Angel (I call her Thumballenia), is just doing great. She is so mellow and gets along with everyone. Besides her fish (that is her fish, now. If she is ever adopted, the fish has to go with her), she will dig down into the shredded paper box and nap. One almost can't find her in there!

Everyone else is doing great. No more slick escapes or major dramas (this is a good thing). Now mommy jsut needs to get some sleep...but that's a whole different blog.

PLAY MISTY FOR ME

I've been letting my foster,Misty, play with my boys the past couple of days and she seems to be getting along really well. She likes to rough-house (guess she's a tom-ferret) which Milo loves! We've really taken to her -- despite her biting thing -- she is so charming and funny. She also shows a sweetness that is so endearing. Not being a ferret psychologist, I can't say why she nips. Sometimes I really think she is just trying to play. I dunno.

I agreed to not ask to adopt any of my fosters and I want to honor that. Misty is a special case though. Would Dana consider letting us give Misty her Forever Home? I'm not sure.

ADOPTION DAY!

It looks like we may be adopting out one of my foster fuzzies today. Of course, I have mixed emotions, right? Sad, because I love them so much and happy to see them get that forever home they deserve. It's a challenge being a foster mom to these babies.

It's a hard thing to let them go...but it's the right thing. I do get attached. And it is so cool how each individual ferret has it's own unique personality. I quickly learn what they like, what they don't like. Each of them has a unique noise they make, so I know who's talking even if I'm not in the same room.

Anyway, we will see who is chosen today. And perhaps there is another little ferret Dana would like me to foster. There's the silver lining!

IT'S A FERRET'S LIFE

All is quiet on the (south) western front. My days are packed with ferret play, ferret cleaning, ferret feeding, ferret squabbles, ferrets-being-adorable, ferret medicating, ferret calendar-making, ferret bedding sewing and washing........It's definitely become my life! And I'm having a great time!

I've made some very cool friends and I am learning so much. And I love being involved. A week from Monday, we are going to a local library to do a presentation about ferrets and I'm really looking forward to it. Usually I can't attend these library functions because they are during the day on the weekdays, so I am working. Luckily, Monday is my day off, so I can finally go!

Snow is becoming more and more social and his little personality is starting to peek through. Last night he decided he would stay under the bed and not come out for his Duck Soup and meds. Just like a two-year-old! I had to bribe him with the bowl of soup to get him out from under there.

He and Ziggy, unfortunately, are probably never going to be friends. It's a shame, but what do you do? I've come to accept the fact that, yes, there will be an occasional squabble between these two and I just do my best to diffuse the situation (meaning, Ziggy usually goes in ten-minute time outs). The time-outs are effective, by the way. Ziggy is smart enough to understand that he needs to behave and he does! So in that way, I'm proud of him. I'm trying to give him a few extra lovies, just to let him know he doesn't need to worry about anything. And, yes, Snow gets those extra lovies, too!

All the other furrkids are great. Milo, my little pet store rescue, who was way underweight and had coccidia when I brought him home is now a whopping 3.08 lbs.! Dave comes in second at 2 lbs - somethin' -- can't remember exactly.

Anyway, that's it....

MEET MY GIRLS!

Vestia - about 1 year old

Oreo - approx. 2 years old

Misty - about 3-4 years old

These are my little foster fuzzies - my girls. I adore them! Each has her own unique personality. Vestia is one we call, "The Baby". She loves to play, especially in the tunnel and rice box, and she hops like a little bunny. She's very lovie and social. Beautiful blaze markings, too. Of course, I'm attached to her. Of course.

Oreo is older and I honestly don't know if she will ever find a Forever Home because of her age. That's more than OK with me, because I have fallen in love with her. She is so mellow and affectionate. She gives the best kisses ever! Oreo is a perfect name for her because her markings are like Cookies & Cream ice cream! Oreo is very petite and girly. She loves her Princess Hammock I sewed for her! Correction: I found out Oreo was only two years old, not five. Thought she looked good for her age!! LOL!

Misty is one we affectionately call, "Cubra Cabre". She has a slight, er, biting issue. She doesn't bite me, but she bites my husband. Haha...can't help it, it's kind of funny. I totally love her. She is very assertive with my boys. When they come up to the barrier, she turns around and shows them her backside!! It's hysterical!!

My little Snow is doing great -- he has plenty of energy and a good appetite. He loves to play in the Walmart sacks. He's going to get a distemper shot in a couple of weeks, which concerns me. But it's important he stay immunized because of his condition.

I've been busy putting together a calendar for the Rescue so we can sell it for fundraising. It's been a bit of a job, but I've had a good time doing it. We are already starting to make plans for the big Pet Fest we have in the fall. The theme is Western and Rocky has already ordered his cowboy hat and bandana!

IT'S NO HAIRBALL

Well...so much for writing everyday! Ah! Life is busy -- especially since I started fostering Misty, Oreo and Vestia. It is just like having a day care now, only with 9 ferrets! The boys want to play with the girls. The girls tease the boys through the gate. Somebody poops in this corner. I clean it up. Somebody digs ALL of their food out of their bowl, thereby carpeting their cage with kibble. I clean it up. Somebody poops in another corner. I clean it up. Somebody gets in a squabble. I break it up.

Then I'll get a big wet kiss or somebody will weasel dance me and it makes everything worth it, tenfold. I was created to be a ferret mom, that's for sure. I totally love this.

The situation between Snow and Ziggy is much improved. We still have moments of disapproval, but nothing like before. They are actually sharing the same cage now. Well...they were until a day ago.

This is where my drama with Snow continues. I've only had him, what, 6 weeks. He has been fine health-wise. I had an appointment for him to get his yearly rabies vaccination. The night before his appointment (this past Sunday) he began to have labored breathing and went "flat". And he kept trying to go to the potty pad over and over.

I thought he had a hairball, seriously. Dr. Dori checked him out yesterday and told me that he has a "really bad" heart murmur. So she put him on Lasix and Benazapril, which seems to have already improved his breathing.

I can't even find the words to explain how sad and devestated I feel around this. We only recently lost our Cupid to the same type of illness and it was hard. This feels downright unfair. The positive aspect of this (and I reaching here) is that little Snow is younger thn Cupid was and doesn't (at least I think) have any other illnesses, like insulinoma to further complicate the heart issue.

Honestly, I love the little DEW and albino ferrets. But I don't know if I ever own another one after this. It's too heartbreaking.

so there is happiness around the FriskyBiznus House of Ferret. And there is sadness and fear - a repeat of the slow loss we just went through with Cupid.

I will post some foster pics up soon. And if anyone ever misses me here on my blog, you can find me on Facebook! Feel free to friend me!

WISDOM POINT EARNED

LOOK!!! It's Snow and Ziggy, all curled up and cuddly in the Sacred Hidey Hole! Momma is soooo happy!!! Whew!

And the Moral of the Story is: Patience is Key When Dealing With Stubborn Ferret.

I was at the rescue on Sunday, helping with clean day. It's hard work, but I really love it. The people are awesome and the ferrets are a joy. I also brought my three foster girls home! They are adapting well -- of course they are separated from my boys - at least for a couple of weeks. They are just beautiful. I'll post pictures soon!

Last Thursday, little Milo (my baby) decided to come down with stinky diarrhea. He was playing and eating - didn't act sick at all. I waited until Friday morning, and he still had it, so I took him to the vet on Friday afternoon. We went into the exam room and, while we were waiting for the vet, Milo pottied on the floor. And...it was perfectly normal! It was a miracle!! LOL! Dr. Taylor looked him over real good and said he thought Milo had a little angry colon. So we had to withold treats for a couple of days to make sure his potties really were straightened out.

He's fine. I just know to never take a chance with diarrhea in a ferret. They can dehydrate very quickly. I'd rather take them to the vet and be pleasantly suprised (like this visit) rather than take any chances.

Time to go get the girls out! I'll post again soon!

EVERYBODY DUCK!!!

Misty
Vestia

Oreo

The above photos are of the thre little girls I'm going to foster! I took these at the rescue, so when they get over here, more photos are sure to follow!

I've been pondering the Duck Soup issue and I don't think I'm ready to take it away from my guys right now. They love it, it's healthy for them and it is a special time I have with them when I give it to them. I won't be doing it daily with my foster girls, so that is kind of good. But my little ones just love it and why take away something that is good for them to have?

Go, Duck Soup!

SOMETHING FERRET-ISH THIS WAY COMES....

There was no trouble between Snow and Ziggy yesterday, but I won't hold my breath just yet....

Snow is a night person (So was Cupid). He decides to get frisky and start being all cute on me at, like, midnight!! He helped me make the rice box for the rescue room last night and tried it out for me. Then he danced for me. What a doll. I'm just really glad we have him.

Tomorrow is my big day for the inspection. We have the rescue cages set up in our workout room. There's plenty of space for the rescue guys to play in there and I'll set up other places for them, too. The best purchase I've made is an 11-panel playpen -- very versatile!

Yesterday I went and bought stuff to make a rice box, a really cute cat tower with a tunnel attached, a kitty pirate ship (eeeeee!), and some little stuffed animals - one for each cage. Milo went through the sacks when I got home and stole a toy I bought. He loves, loves stuffed animals.

All of my guys are sensing something ferret-ish in the air and are all excited. It's going to be interesting to have two separate groups to deal with now, but I can't wait!!

WORLD WAR FERRET

NEWS REGARDING THE RESCUE EFFORT:

Arrrggghh! OK. This is what's going on today. I am not going to do my own rescue. Instead, I'm going to be a foster home/satellite rescue for my friend Dana (Forever Homes Wanted Ferret Rescue). This is much better for everyone: me, hubby, HAFA and the ferret-loving community. We only need to concentrate on fund-raising and other support for one rescue, instead of two. Help and funds are scant enough without the added stress. It actually makes me feel good that they were going to support me somehow, anyway, and that Dana is willing to let me be a serious foster home for her. I guess they like me, despite the fact that I am kind of loopy!

So, anyway, I bought home cages that I need to clean and set up. At first it didn't even look like this was going to happen. K. and I had a difficult discussion around the whole rescue issue. He has his thoughts and ideas -- I have mine. The sticking point was the problem of having enough space for the little guys (cages and free-roam space). Lack of communication, me getting upset and throwing my hands up in the air, saying, "Just forget it!" put a strain on the subject, to say the least. So I declared myself as being done.

Then hubby decided it's OK to sell the treadmill and rearrange some stuff in our workout room so I can have half of it for my cages and play space. So we are back on. There's lots to do and I think it's OK to be excited again....!

IN THE FERRET NEWS:

Well. It's been interesting. We've had Snow now for about 5 days now. He is getting along pretty well with everyone except Ziggy and Milo. Milo is my baby, only about 6 months old. He is Ziggy's ferret. Right now I think it's a pecking order issue between the baby and the new guy.

Ziggy is my one-year-old. He has made it his job to defend the Hidey Hole and his pet ferret, Milo. Not to mention his panda bear, his bubble wrap, his balls, his fish...etc. So he and Snow are not liking each other so much. They are fighting, with blood once (I believe it was an accident - Ziggy's foot got nicked) and poo more than once.

The poo is Snow's. At first, I though Ziggy was scaring the s**t out of Snow. But, I've figured out, that Snow is using it as a weapon!! I guess, since he can't spray, he poos! Here's hoping he gets past that little behavior....

Anyway, these two were at it again this morning. I decided I'm doing no one any favors by jumping in every time, so I stood close by and watched (just in case I saw an ear fly across the room or something). It was puff tail and scramble and rolling. Ziggy was dookdookdook-ing and Snow was screaming like a girl. They barely touched each other, really, just the neck holding that's normal. A little while later, I find Ziggy in Snow's cage, laying next to Snow and being nice (but dooking under his breath).

So there you go. Ferret behaviour 101. Fighting is normal. Perhaps even a bit of blood is normal. And poo. Our job is to make sure no body parts fall off and give lots of love, reassurance and Ferratone.

IT'S PATHETIC, REALLY

OK, so I will start with the happy news, first, since happy news makes me happy! :) This is Snow! He came home with me yesterday. So far, he is settling in pretty well. There is a problem with him and Ziggy not getting along and fighting to the point of puffy tail, poop and blood (Ziggy's foot). It doesn't appear to be one bullying the other. It seems to be a mutual dislike. That part has been a drag and I hope it will work itself out sooner rather than later. I gave everyone a bath in lavender baby shampoo today. Perhaps this picture of Ziggy can explain how everyone felt about a bath:

LOL! It's his porcupine look!

Anyway, K. is OK with Snow coming home with me. BUT, he is NOT OK with any type of rescue. I got that message loud and clear last night. I've cried my eyes out about it. Now I just need to move forward and accept that it just isn't going to happen. I feel like a real dumbass. Oh well.

I 'm grateful to have my six little guys that I love so much and who love me, too. That's all that matters, anyway.

Eh. I'm in no mood to write.

SNOW IN MAY!

I spoke with Dana tonight and told her I wanted to get Snow over Memorial Day weekend, but she's got people coming to adopt this weekend. I don't want to take the chance of losing him, so I emailed her and told her, "nevermind, I'm coming to get him this Sunday". :D

He came from Citizens for Animal Protection, so she doesn't know his story. He's somewhere between 2 and 4 years old, so we'll say he's 3 years.

I haven't mentioned this to my husband. I know. I just don't want to stir him up over Cupid again. No ferret will ever replace Cupid and I'm not suggesting that's what I'm trying to do. Little Snow stole my heart, so I just need to quietly go get him and bring him home....Besides...K. might as well get used to coming home and find me with new ferrets. That's the nature of rescue.

Ugh. I was cleaning cages tonight and accidently vaccuumed up a little bitty stuffed walrus and it is stuck!! K. is trying to get it out now.

THREE DOOKS AND A....

Happy Dance!!!!! I just got the sweetest email from my friend at HAFA offering support and congratulations. This means the world to me.

So it looks like I'm on my way to starting Friskybiznus Ferret Foster Home and Adoption!!

NOW I'M SKEERED

I've printed all kinds of good information about how to start a non-profit organization off the internet, so I'm pretty clear on what I need to do. I was happy to know it is a $ 25 fee to file for incorporation for non-profits, and not $ 300, like I thought. I'm just so excited about finally doing this -- even on a very small scale, I know I can make a difference.

The hardest thing I'm going to have to learn is how to say, "no", when I am filled up and someone wants to surrender their ferret. And the second hardest thing will be letting one go to a new forever home. As long I keep the awareness of that in front of me, I'll be OK. It's that "catching me off guard" thing I need to worry about.

The other thing I'm kind of worried about is, will my friends in HAFA support this? We have one rescue we are loyal to - in fact I am quite involved and still wish to remain so. I emailed the director of HAFA and the president of the rescue last night and told them what I want to do. No word back yet--so I hope I haven't done something inappropriate....I hope they don't tell me to go find someone else to play with.. :/