Sarah Here: HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS – That is what we heard the other night in our shelter – then a bit of a rustle – I was too tired to worry about what was going on but the next morning when mum came down to get us up – wow there were presents hanging on everyone of our cages – in pretty gift bags with our names on them – inside the bag was a toy for each and everyone of us – Santa sure is good to us here – I never thought coming here to live would be so much fun!

Possum Here: Hey Sarah don't forget about all the boxes that all the secret Santas sent to us – boxes and boxes of things for us – some even had presents in the boxes for mum – with her special food – all because there are special elves out there that put up the giving tree for all the shelters and their fur kids – we owe them a BIG THANK YOU for putting up the tree and connecting the fur kids to the secret Santas!

Sarah Here: Oh yeah – mum takes pictures of all the things that come in for us, with us opening our presents then sends the pictures to the Santa that sent them and to Miss Mindy – Miss Mindy puts the pictures up on our shelter site so everyone can see all the presents we got for Christmas! Mum has a few more to get done, but most all are sent and up on the site if you want to see them.

Sarah Here: So Possum if you are still around, I think I am going to need lots of help with this month's new letter

Possum Here: Sure Sarah I am here what do you need help with? I hope it is not stupid stuff!

Sarah Here: Possum you stop that – you know mum does not like it when that word is used! She will not even let the 2 legged furless kids on her big yellow thingy use that word! Mum says there is no such thing as stupid stuff! Stuff I do not know, stuff that I do not understand but not STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Possum Here: Are you done with your tantrum Sarah? What is it you want help with?

Sarah Here: Mum has numbers at the bottom of the page – what am I supposed to do with them? The note says: Webshots 327

Possum Here: Oh that - the webshots site is where mum keeps all our pictures so all our friends can see the pictures that have been taken anyway once a month webshots sends mum a report telling her how many humans went to that link to look at our pictures – so last month 327 humans went there to look at what pictures are there – since mum set that page up there have been 51,221 views - that is a lot of views and humans!

Sarah Here: Wow that is a big number – thanks for explaining that for me! Miss Brie came over one day to help mum pull some lumber out of the barn – mum had a friend coming over to help her fix the garage roof – they needed that lumber so Miss Brie said she would help mum get it out – once they got that done mum and Miss Brie put up the 5' bamboo curtain between the kitchen and the dining room – so when it is really cold mum can keep the heat in our play area better for us – before Miss Brie left she told mum she was a skitzo – mum was off the wall that day – we are lucky that Miss Brie loves us and mum so she just shakes her head and laughs at mum when she gets goofy as we call it.
  Oh! Oh! Miss Jackie is back! She stopped in to see us just before Christmas – we are so glad to see her looking so good and all better! Welcome back Miss Jackie we missed you!

Possum Here: Miss Ili and Mr. Bob are leaving to go south for the winter – Miss Priscilla and my boy friend Ralphie call them snow birds – I am not sure why they do not have wings and they do not fly – but that is what they call humans that go south for the winter.

Sarah Here: Well Possum did you know I got personal messages from the humans that read the news last month? Here is what I got:
  Hi Brenda, tell Sarah she did a great job for her first time and Possum was a good advisor! Marcia
  Great edition of the Master Largo news! Sarah is getting off to a wonderful start, under the watchful eye of Ms. Possum--of course! Priscilla
  Sarah, I think you did a great job with the news your first time out! You go, little girl!!! Far-away mom, Bonnie

Possum Here: Sure Sarah – that is what happens when you become the senior reporter – you get told all kinds of things – that is great – do you mind if I add a bit of news?

Sarah Here: I guess if I am going to ask you to help it would be nice if you did add some news so sure go ahead.

Possum Here: Thanks Sarah you're not so bad after all – I thought I was going to get grief from you about it – Miss Marcia and Miss Mindy came the same day to help mum move the small freezer from the back room to another room so mum can pay closer attention to it – then they helped move the picnic table out of the back yard to the garage for winter – where mum thought she wanted the freezer was not working – so Miss Mindy came down the next day to help mum move the freezer to a better place – easier and safer for mum to have access to it.

Sarah Here: There have been some new kids come in and some kids go out - the new girls Miku and Kiwi now have one more room they can not be in – Miku jumped the barrier from the library to the kitchen – she will also jump from the kitchen to the library - pretty soon mum will need to hang them from the ceiling to keep them where she wants them. mum says the longer they are here the better at staying put they are getting – Frankie came in too – he was found abandoned Miss Brie and Miss Mindy got him picked up, vetted and delivered to the shelter. Mum says he is a young' in. We have had lots of help and new folks stop by – Miss Donna, Miss Mindy in to help, Miss Jeanie B stopped in with lots and lots of things for us fur kids, Miss Victoria G and Miss Aretta and her son stopped by, Miss Rikki a high school kid that rides mums big yellow thingy came to help too.

Possum Here: Miss Ili was here to work in the shelter while mum was in the kitchen baking for turkey day – Miss Patty sent us 24 jars of turkey baby food for our special turkey day – then one Sunday afternoon Miss Genevieve B, Charlie and Reilly K. came to help cut nails and weigh us fur kids – mum likes to get us weighed once a month – Miss EB and her family stopped by that same day to pick up their Theodora – she is a guinea pig mum watches when they need to go away – that same day Maxim and Pudgy went home with Charlie and Reilly K. to their new 4-ever home.

Sarah Here: My turn, mum took the morning off to get and keep the shelter caught up so she could take Stevie to Doc. but the plan had to change so mum, took him to Avon to meet Miss Mindy so Miss Mindy could run him into Doc. Stevie had a mass on his penis called a preputial adenoma, or preputial adenocarcinoma it needed to be removed. The mass went from kidney bean size to large marble in 2 weeks time. Stevie is doing great now our favorite Doc got him all fixed up! The fur kid that was supposed to come in on Saturday did not show up, but came in on Sunday – her dad said he had to work. Mum says Daisy is skinny and tiny – nails far too long – wants an enormous amount of attention – nippy but mum says that should stop once she realizes she will get the attention she desires – mum says Daisy is afraid of hands, that the humans that had her told mum they tried everything to get her to stop biting – mum says obviously it was punitive not positive reinforcement – Daisy is doing awesome with mum – no bites, loves to dance and play, does not hurt mum in any way! Miss Susann T. came to pick up her fur kids from camp – she left with Penny so Penny has a new 4-ever home!

Possum Here: So Sarah did you notice that you have everything mum had at the bottom of this news letter covered and done? You did it girl – see that was not so bad was it?

Sarah Here: Really? We are done? Wow – I guess that was not so hard after all – thanks Possum for helping me get this done – we sure had a lot going on this last month huh? We are really lucky fur kids to have so many humans love us and help mum take care of us.

Possum Here: Yup! Yup! Yup! We sure are – do you know that the next time we do the news that it will be a brand new year? that it will be 2012? We need to be done with this news but say to all the humans out there...
  Happy Happy New Year!!!!

Sarah senior reporter
Possum advisor

Sarah Here: Hi my name is Sarah and I was hired to take over the news letter for the Lakeroad Ferret Farm, Possum said she would remain as cub reporter so if I need help she will be there to get me through it.

Possum Here: Sarah lets get something straight, I am not a cub reporter I am an advisor. AD – VIS – OR

Sarah Here: Oh dear mum told me I was not going to get though a news letter without comments and prodding from Possum, mum said I would need to be patient with Possum – I am not so sure that is going to be easy to do. So I stand corrected - Possum is an advisor not a cub reporter – I was told that mum makes notes so we know what needs to be reported so I need to go look for the notes.

Possum Here: OH BROTHER! Sarah the notes are listed on the bottom of the impending news letter so you do not have to go looking for them they are all right there for you!!

Sarah Here: Impending what is impending?

Possum Here: Impending means next month's news letter to be written – using one word instead of 7 – UGH!

Sarah Here: Oh! Okay! I thought you were going to retire and rest! Geezzzz can I at least get started before you start nitpicking at my news? Anyway Miss Donna Z stopped in to drop off lots and lots of papers for us, mum told her that if she got here after 4 pm she would be doing all the hauling up the steps on her own, she took mum seriously, and did haul them all up the steps by herself, mum hauled them over all the barriers. Thanks Miss Donna for keeping us in poopy papers!
  Mum met up with her 2 legged furless kids and grand kids after the Christmas in October event – she took all the food that was not Gluten Free to them to finish off.
  Miss Wendy sent all the pictures she took the day of our event so they are all up on our picture site now. Wow so far 1,293 of you humans looked at our pictures! That is a lot of humans! Do any of you have ferrets in your lives? If not you should!

Possum here: Enough editorial Sarah! You are a reporter! Don't forget to report about the new kids that came in.

Sarah Here: What does editorial mean? Okay Possum I am working down the list of things mum has for me, so butt out!

Possum here: NOW JUST ONE MINUTE! You can not talk to an advisor like that! I was just trying to help!

Sarah Here: STOP trying to help! When I am done and you see I have missed something then you can help but until then BUTT OUT! Mum told me I could say that! I heard mum telling some humans that she thought I was the perfect choice to take over the news because I am just like Possum was when she first came to the shelter!
  Always being a busy body, jumping up and down to see what was going on, nosing here and there to find out what the humans are talking about and most importantly I do not put up with any guff from anyone! So if you are ready to let me do my job Possum I will get back to the news!

Possum here: Mum did not really say you could tell me to butt out did she?

Sarah here: wouldn't you like to know? Now back to the news...
  We have 16 fur kids on the giving tree. All have been picked - we sure are lucky fur kids!
  We have some new kids that have come in to live with us - Henry, Kiwi and Miku, and then Frankie came in last week. Miss Mindy has their stories on the web site for you to read.

Possum here: Hey Windy are you done yet?

Sarah here: NO I am not done yet – I still have things on the list mum made – and my name is not Windy!

Possum here: Well if you keep going the way you're going – you're going to be known as Windy! You only have a few more sentences and you will already have 3 pages to the news – Mr Big may not have room for your news on the FML it if it really long!

Sarah here: Who is Mr Big and what is the FML?

Possum Here: Mr. Big is the guy that makes sure the Ferret Mailing List (FML) is up every day for all the humans that want to read about ferrets and things that pertain to ferrets, he is the Moderator of the FML – are you sure you were hired for this job? You sure do not know much!

Sarah here: I bet you did not know much when you started the news! I am going to ignore you and go on with the news!
  About 2 weeks ago when mum got home from work, she went to get our soup out of the freezer, everything was defrosted. Mum thought it was because she had not closed the freezer door properly before leaving for work. So she adjusted the things in there, took the grate off the front off the refrigerator to vacuum under it, believing it would run properly she then did meds and fur kids shut the shelter down and went to bed.
  In the morning when mum got up to get our soup out of the freezer for our meds our soup still had not frozen over night, so everything in that freezer was defrosted! Mum got everything out – our duck soup, our meds she keeps in there frozen and some of her things. What a mess – mum had to find us a new machine that will keep our soup and meds frozen and our food cold and safe in a hurry!
  Mum called a local place to see if they could help us get a new cold food box – they could! Mum decided what one was going to be delivered to Naples, she had to discuss with the store that she had to be back to work at 1 pm.
  Betsy at the store said she would get back to mum on what time the delivery truck could get here, because they already had their deliveries scheduled but they would treat mum as an emergency delivery.
  As mum was waiting for the phone call she emptied the food cold box put the food in totes, got as much as she could in the big freezer down stairs, went back down town to get more ice. Mum had 3 totes of stuff sitting in the back room in ice.
  Betsy called to tell mum the guys could get here at 1:30 of course mum is on her big yellow thingy at that time, so mum told Betsy she would see if she could find someone to baby-sit the house so they could make the delivery at that time.
  Mum called Miss Jackie, Miss Stacie, and Miss Loana all of them live just minutes away, none of them were even able to answer the phone so mum called Miss Brie she is further but not that far, Miss Brie had to work so mum called Miss Mindy. Miss Mindy lives much farther than anybody but said she would come sit with the house so the delivery could be made. Yeah! Thanks Miss Mindy for saving our soup!
  Miss Mindy got here just before mum had to leave for work, she and mum moved fur kids into areas away from the moving lane, fixed the barriers so they could be moved quickly and easily when the delivery guys got here.
  Mum left for work, Miss Mindy stayed to accept the delivery. When mum got home Miss Mindy had the shelter picked up, cages done, kids moved into the rooms they emptied, then she and mum filled the new food cold box with the food, duck soup and our meds that was all sitting in ice.
  What a day – then the most awesome thing happened mum found a late night message on her phone message machine that a check for the full amount for the new refrigerator/freezer was on the way from Teddy's not so far away mom - Miss Patty S in Canton NY – a shelter angel – Thanks Miss Patty for helping mum keep our soup and meds safe to eat!
  Well it looks like all mums notes are gone – I have all the things she wanted me to report in the news – Mr Big I will try harder to shorten the news letter next month – this is a bit long but everything I reported was important.
  Well Possum apart from being what you call long winded how did I do for my first run as news reporter?

Possum Here: I guess considering this is your first time you did okay – but telling me to butt out and that mum told said you could say that is just plain wrong! A little respect for an advisor goes a long way to getting help when you need it.

Until next month ...
Sarah Senior Reporter
Possum Senior Advisor

Possum here: Oh my Goodness! What a day we had Saturday! I tried to get mum to let me do the news yesterday but she said she was too tired. She was pretty pooped! Our Christmas in October was a huge success. The weather was perfect; mum even came in to get me to take me out side to see everybody! There were humans all over the place! Miss Wendy took my picture while I was out side visiting folks.
  New folks came to meet us from Getzville, NY.
  I gotta tell ya, our party place looked awesome; it was all decorated, tables and raffles set up, food, food and more food, and wine tasting. As the pictures come in mum will post them on our web shots site for you to see.
  So many things to do, people to see, places to go on Saturday - it was just awesome, keeping in mind it could not have happened without each and every human that came to help, donate things/time and then be here for the fun too!
  Oh yeah and the CD I requested for the music that day got here in time to save my fur! You humans rock! Thanks for saving me from becoming mums winter color!
  The gold people were here, the humans that turned in their gold jewelry and things helped to earn our shelter $38.00 for hosting the gold party. The folks were great and happy to help our cause.
  Miss Katie Carr from KS spent a couple of days with us so she could join us for the fun. Miss Katie is the adoption facilitator for the Kansas City Ferret Hotline. Miss Katie helped get last minute things done the morning of our event, played with us, clipped nails for us and just generally spent time hanging out with mum and us fur kids.
  I have some very important things to tell you this month – the first is I am going to semi-retire from the news, I need to step down to the cub reporter position and have Sarah step into my paws. I have been feeling poorly for a bit.
  The other day I scared mum because I was leaving for Rainbow Bridge! Mum got me back but I am getting tired so I need to step aside for a new Senior Reporter. I have been doing the news sense February 2006; it is time to let a new fur kid do it.
  I have looked at all the applications from the shelter fur kids that wanted the cub reporter job, took the suggestions from all you humans out there that sent me ideas. I decided with mum's blessing to have Sarah step into my position, and I will take the cub reporters job to train Sarah.
  Sarah fits the bill for the senior reporter job; she is just like I was when I got here to the shelter, jumps up and down to get attention in her cage or in the play rooms, matters not to her. If someone is here she is listening in on all the conversations, nosing into everyone's business, I think that is what makes a good senior reporter, don't you?
  The second is mum has IFC shirts here if you want them – the Globe shirts were such a hit more were ordered so if you want one let mum know ferretfarm@frontiernet.net and there are some Arizona shirts left too.
  We are in the news! A Messenger post photographer came to take pictures of us, he did a video too – we have not seen the pictures yet but here is the video, take a look!
  Okay I guess I have all the notes covered mum left me – so until next month...

Possum
I will be in the cub reporter position next month, Senior Reporter Sarah will step in at that time

Possum here: It has been crazy around here and without help to do the news I have been one busy ferret keeping track of all the goings on here at the shelter!
  Mum went to see her 2 legged furless kid Jay - to get help with the video camera she got from the SOS raffle – so now she sorta knows how to use it – she had 14 videos on the silly thing when she took it to Jay – she told him that he at least knew she really did try to figure it out.
  It took Jay just minutes to get mum up to speed – then they had dinner with her 2 legged furless grand kids – it was a good day!
  Miss Ili, Miss Donna, the entire Keenen family, Miss Mindy, and Miss Brie, have all been here to help one day or another – some times more than one day in the same week.
  Mum and Miss Mindy got the garage cleaned out – what a job that was! Miss Mindy is our Web Master too – if you have not been to our site lately you need to go see the awesome things she has done to make it a great place to visit.
  The Keenen family helped get all of our nails cut, got us weighed and recorded, along with Revolution on our bodies to keep the bugs away! That was quiet the assembly line they had going!
  Reilly got us up, gave us to mum – she cut our nails then handed us to Mr Charlie he put us on the scale to get our weight – handed us over to Mrs Charlie – I forgotted her name and I don't want her mad at me for calling her the wrong name – so it is Mrs Charlie - she put the Revolution on us while Charlie recorded the weights – then we were handed over to Delaney to be put away! They got the entire shelter population done in just over an hour and a half!

Mum here: Her name is Gail, Possum.

Possum here:There are a few things I want to remind you about the first one is our Christmas in October event. The second is mum has IFC shirts here in the store if you want them – the Globe shirts were such a hit more got ordered so if you want one let mum know and there are still some Arizona shirts left too
  This weekend Ryan came to help mum – man did he work mum to being bone tired! He helped bring water in – papers up – they swept more of the garage floor – all kinds of things around here – he is a good worker – he and his mom took in Brownie for mum – Brownie needed a new home and our shelter was full – Ryan had been coming to the shelter to learn about how to care for ferrets so when Brownie needed a place to go mum got them connected – they are thrilled with Brownie.
  Okay I guess I have all the notes covered mum left me – so until next month...

Possum Senior Reporter
Cub reporter position still vacant

Possum here: Hey you humans out there – I have some information for you! Ya know how SOS has these raffles to raise money to help shelters? Well this last one someone had 2 winning tickets and they told Miss Kat they wanted to be anonymous because the stuff they won came to our shelter. So I sent this note to Miss Kat:

Okay Miss Kat – Fess up!
Possum here: I want to know who won the camcorder and TF that is being donated to our shelter – The Camcorder got here – mum was stunned to find that in the package – no name.
She just found out from Miss Mindy that there was a TF winning ticket for our shelter too – so please please! Please! Tell me who are the earth angels that are helping mum take care of us.
Possum the best reporter here at the shelter – sure hope you are doing okay.

Then I got this from Miss Kat:

HEHEHE...
Can't do that....they asked to remain anonymous...so. Unless THEY fess up...I can't... ;-) congrats...HUGS!!!
Kat

This is what I sent back to Miss Kat:

OH POOP! Okay I understand – but now I am going to have to report in our next news letter that you have a zipper mouth – It looks like this ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ! Does it feel as bad as it looks?

  So any of you humans that want to do things anonymous you can count on Miss Kat to keep her zipper mouth shut! We did find out who won the stuff for us – Miss Sheilla did – she wrote mum a note to tell her so I would stop trying to find out – thanks Mr. Malcolm for guilting Miss Sheilla into telling us!

  It has been crazy here at the shelter this summer – mum is finally on vacation but you sure would not know it!
  We are working real hard on our Christmas in October event – that is October 8th, 2011 – please please please come join us so you can love on me! We want you all to join the fun – photo shoot dish to pass event to help our shelter – Donations are rolling in from all over – Thanks Miss Wendy for all your hard work – Miss Mindy for all the cool things we are going to have to hand out to the folks that join us. Now I need to tell you something very important...
  Soup! Duck Soup! Teach your fur kids to like and get them on some kind of Duck soup! Mum says it matters not what kind you wish to use – except for the stuff on the store shelves – Uncle Jims real duck soup - that is not going to keep your fur kids alive – they state clearly on the jar it is not a food source – however if you use one of the many real duck soup recipes out there you can maintain your sick ferret long enough to get them better – you can give them medications in the soup so they do not even know they are getting medicine.
  Mum says she is fighting to keep a fur kid alive that was never taught to like soup (not one of our kids) so not only does this fur kid need medicine she does not like - but she is getting soup she does not like – this means this fur kid is not only feeling poorly she is getting stressed when mum needs to give her meds.
  If you teach your ferrets to like Duck Soup when they are not sick you will have them ready to eat it when they are – when they get sick they are more likely to eat for you because you can hold them while they drink their soup – this link will give you more information on our soup as well as links to other soup recipes.
  Mum says please get your fur kids on some form of Duck Soup so you can make them feel better when they are sick! Don't wait until they are sick to teach them how to like it
  Oh yeah here is one very big news flash – Miss Kathy has our 501c3 application complete it has been submitted and is currently in the hands of the IRS!
  Three Cheers for Miss Kathy and all the work she put into that for us!
  Okay I guess I have all the notes covered mum left me – so until next month...

Possum Senior Reporter Cub reporter position still vacant

Possum here: Where did June go? If Mum would stay home I could get my news done in a timely manner - but – NOOOOOOOOOOO - mum is running all over the country – going here and going there...
  So to keep Mr. BIG from pulling his hair out – I am going to combine and make this news for both June and July – It was a busy June with Mum gone to the symposium with the International Ferret Congress – the pictures have not yet been posted – when they are I will let you know - Miss Donna stayed that time with us – We sure kept her moving!
  The weekend after was our clinic day here with our favorite Doc – lots and lots of humans and their ferrets were here that day – lots of food, fun watching to see how many times Master Toby climbed out of the pen – Miss Christine winning that guessing game – he climbed out 56 times - Miss Wendy took beautiful portraits of fur kids for the folks that wanted them – she and Mr. Dick took pictures of the days events – if mum would stay home we would have the pictures posted for you to see already - but she didn't - so they are not!
  The next two weeks after that were regents exams for the 2 legged furless kids - that kept mum hopping – the weekend after school let out mum spent an all expense paid weekend in Chautauqua with Alice cat, Hannah cat, Lily dog, oh yeah Miss Kathy and Miss Marilyn too. Miss Mindy stayed with us that time - she looked pretty pooped when mum got home - mum is sure using up her shelter capital with all the times she is leaving us at home.
  There have been several new families stopping by to check us out - Miss Donna D, Miss Mindy H and Miss Stacie K helped mum get the last of the odd cages out of the shelter so mum could set up the last of the ferret nation cage in that corner of that room.
  Sidney needed to see our favorite Doc so Miss Jackie R and her Mr. Bob took him to Brockport – Miss Iliana B and Miss Brie have been in and out helping mum keep up – especially when mum was working extra for regents' weeks.
  Miss Donna brought Sidney home from the hospital – surgery went well - the tumor and his spleen are gone – there were 2 very big nodes on his pancreas so they were removed too – mum had his sick pen set all ready up for his arrival home – with a bowl of soup as soon as he got here.
  Mr. Tom and Miss Stephanie N. came to Naples with the picnic table that was offered to us. They brought Miss Alex with them – she is a 2 legged furless kid that is learning how to help mum take care of fur kids - Thanks you guys!
  Thankfully the picnic table got here after mum got Sidney settled into the sick pen, by the time Tom and Steph left it was time for Charlie and Reilly K. to get here, to pick up the girls - they were adopting Anna and Kate.
  Reilly is 10 yrs old, each time he comes to the shelter he wants to touch every single one of us ferrets, so mum emailed Reilly and his dad to ask Reilly if he and his dad would help her get us fur kids weighed - Reilly was delighted to know he was going to get to touch and handle everyone of us in the shelter.
  Little did he know we fur kids don't always want to be weighed so he found some of us to be a bit of a challenge – we had fun with Reilly and his dad that day. When we were all weighed and nails cut – they took Kate and Anna home with them.
  Now that mum is home "for a while" – don't ask – she is going to be running off again in a few weeks – 2 more times – for all expense paid weekends – Miss Loana is taking her to Lilly Dale NY and Miss Kathy has invited her to their place in Canada – mum is working on the papers to be able to go.
  4th of July has come and gone – Miss Sheilla and Mr. Malcolm came to Naples over the weekend to lay their Benji to rest here in our memorial site - mum and his family were so sad that Benji left for Rainbow Bridge – a new family was here they want to adopt one of us fur kids – Ryan is 15yrs old and he has that glint in his eyes mum calls "bitten by the ferret bug" he and his family are learning more about ferrets to see if we might fit into their life style.
  Miss Donna was here mowing and taking care of our property – then Miss Iliana and her Mr. Bob came to put flowers in the new garden mum's 2 legged furless kid and her grandson's built for her – it is beautiful – mum calls it Ili's garden.
  We have a surprise – you should mark your calendar – Miss Wendy had this great idea: Christmas in October! Saturday - October 8, 2011 10 am till ?
  Raffle Table, Bedding Auction, Cook Out, Photo Shoot

  As the plans are made - my being the senior reporter - I will be adding more to this for you – I just wanted you to have the date so you could put it on the calendar.
  This time somebody needs to come in and get me so I can come join the fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Now I have some serious business to discuss with you humans – since Suzie Q left for Rainbow Bridge I know I have been telling you I do not need help with the news – but it is much more fun to have somebody to work with.
  So I am asking each of you to go look at our web site to see who you think might be a good cub reporter. Send me suggestions of who you think would work well for me – my personal email address is ferretfarm1@kwflatbed.com don't be sending mum your suggestions send them to me – I want to see who you think will work hard for me – don't be picking bossy fur kids either!
  I think I have all the news done - because mum was out running all over I have no notes to tell me what to report – if you think I missed something let me know – I will have mum put it in next months notes so I can cover them in that news – that is if she stays home long enough to do it for me – Until next month...

Possum Senior Reporter

Possum here: Hey Suzie its time to do the news – where are you – come on get up we need to do the news! Geezzzzzz you're a lazy butt today!

Mum here: Possum; Suzie left for Rainbow Bridge last Thursday you will have to do the news on your own.

Possum here: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Suzie can't go! I'm not ready for her to go!

Mum here: Possum, Suzie is gone she had to go. I will help you with the news if you need me.

Possum here: But mum there is too much news for just me, Suzie always kept me on track, now what am I going to do?

Mum here: Funny just last month you told Suzie she was a pain in the butt to you, you start the news if you get stuck I will help.

Possum here: Okay but doing the news without Suzie is not going to be any fun at all! I will try... the Saturday before Easter mum went to see her 2 legged furless kids and grandkids, then Sunday Mr Charlie and Master Reilly came to help mum and pick up Friskie. Friskie was here to hang out for a while – Reilly and his dad helped mum clean cages and move kids. Reilly kept telling mum he could not decide which of us he liked the best, mum told them she has never seen a ferret she did not like, both Charlie and Reilly said they feel the same way.
  Miss Mindy and Miss Donna came over with food for mum, Miss Mindy buys mum junk food, Miss Donna buys mum good food, and mum wonders why she is such a chunky monkey! Humph! Now this is where Suzie would tell me to stop and be nice! I miss you Suzie! Come back to me!

Mum here: it's okay Possum you are doing just fine, keep going. Anyway Miss Mindy helped mum get stinky stuff on us to keep the bugs away.

Possum here: Over Spring break mum, Genevieve, and Teddy went to Seneca Lake Terrace an assisted living community to show Teddy off to the folks that live there that is where Old Lady Kay is living now.
  They were waiting for Mum and Teddy to get there. Elaine took them to the main living room area and allowed mum to set up the pen for Teddy. Elaine could not wait to see him so she asked mum if she could take him out of the carrier – Teddy was thrilled to be out – the residents started filing in – they sat in chairs that were placed along the walls – because SLT management does not allow pictures to be taken of residents the folks that are pictured are of the staff – they were great about allowing mum to take picture of them – the residents had lots and lots of questions – some even knew a lot about ferrets – one lady was offering up all kinds of information and all of it right on – mum was so impressed – come to find out her granddaughter has 3 ferret.
  Gen was video taping the visit – Mum says she has yet to figure out how to get that off the card and onto the computer – when she does she will share that with you as well. After mum was done in the main living area they were taken to the wing O.L. Kay is in – mum and Gen got to show Teddy off there too.
  Elaine came with us to baby sit Teddy while mum and Gen set things up again – she sure did enjoy that boy – this being Teddy's first outreach event mum was pleased he did so well – Mum says they were such a hit that Elaine asked when they could come back. Mum took Gen to Mickey D's for lunch – before going home, Gen informed mum that it was a very long day. Mum thinks it was a great day – she said they will go back with Teddy.
  Mum got notified that 660 of you looked at our pictures on webshots!
  Miss Sue B and Mr Neil were here for a visit last weekend; it was great to see them again. Then during the week after they went home Mum found Suzie Q had left for Rainbow Bridge on Thursday – mum thought something was up cause Suzie did not want her soup – she usually begged mum for a second bowl when mum is dishing up soup at bed time - when mum saw the soup was still in her dish in the morning mum was ready for a cold hammock – the news this month is very hard to do – I miss my Suzie Q...

  Don't forget the 2011 Phoenix Ferret Symposium presented by the International Ferret Congress (IFC) will be held June 3 - 5 at the Fiesta Resort Conference Center in Tempe, AZ.. Mention Ferret Symposium for special rates starting at $75 per night, taxes not included. Go to the IFC web site for registration forms and info. Registration deadline is May 11, 2011 so if you plan to join us please get your registration in soon – mum will be there that weekend Miss Donna D is going to watch us while mum is gone.

Possum here: Don't forget the weekend after that is our clinic day with our favorite Doc – food – fun and the play yard will be set up to let all the fur kids that come - hang out – that is June 11th – if you want your fur kid to see the Doc then you need to get a registration form from mum – if you are coming just to hang out to have some fun then no need to register – we include a dish to pass picnic on that day - so letting mum know you are coming so she knows how many hotdogs to have on hand would be good. There will be raffles and Miss Lynne in Washington State has another stained glass piece for raffle again this year – Miss Mindy has the new piece on the front of our web site.
  Boy is that a fun day to hang out at the shelter – Mum is a bit in melt down mode but our shelter friends help keep her glued together - we sure hope you can come, Miss Lynne did another stained glass piece for us to raffle – take a look it is all done. Miss Mindy has it on the front page. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 you do not have to be here to win – Mum actually asked Miss Lynne not to ship it to Naples just in case it is won by someone out of state – Miss Lynne can ship it direct to the winner – sooooo go take a look at the new stained glass piece Miss Lynne did – it is the best one yet.
  A reminder that the store site is gone for now, mum and Miss Mindy took it down because it was costing more money than what was coming in – so if you want something just email mum she will work it up for you and get it sent – you can still get the IFC shirts too – just not though the web site – use mums email address ferretfarm@frontiernet.net
  All the notes are gone so I think I am done with this news this month.

I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather! Until next month...

Possum senior reporter Suzie Q cub reporter gone to the Rainbow Bridge

Possum Here: Oh Suzie I do believe Spring has sprung – Miss Donna D was here working outside – she and mum got the barrel that had fallen apart out of the garden – Miss Donna D loves working out in our yard she makes it look so pretty - thanks Miss Donna D!

Suzie Q Here: Yup! Yup! Yup, Miss Donna D working out in the yard is a definite indication that spring has sprung – the weather is getting better enough that we need to find a day to get anyone that wants to come help us put a second coat on our play yard – Miss Sheilla already got us more Dry-Loc for the play yard blocks all we need now are the humans to come help put it on – Mum says she would like to see if we could get it done before our June clinic day – June 11th – speaking of clinic day we have ferrets already signed up to see our favorite Doc.

Possum Here: Yeah boy is that a fun day to hang out at the shelter – we sure hope you can come, Miss Lynne did another stained glass piece for us to raffle – take a look it is all done, Miss Mindy has it on the front page. Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 you do not have to be here to win – Mum actually asked Miss Lynne not to ship it to Naples just in case it is won by someone out of state – Miss Lynne can ship it direct to the winner – sooooo go take a look at the new stained glass piece Miss Lynne did – it is the best one yet.

Suzie Q Here: Oh and the store site is gone for now, mum and Miss Mindy took it down because it was costing more money than what was coming in – so if you want something just email mum she will work it up for you and get it sent – you can still get the IFC shirts too – just not though the web site – use mums email address ferretfarm@frontiernet.net Miss Jackie R is no longer MIA – she came to see us last Friday – it was so good to see Miss Jackie R – Miss Iliana was here that day Mum called to her to come see who was at the door, Mum and Iliana were so happy to see Miss Jackie – Miss Genevieve has been here too helping and taking pictures of us – She will be going on an out reach trip to Geneva the week mum is on vacation – she and mum are taking Teddy – Miss Donna Z came to Naples with lots and lots of news papers – she got to see the new shelter cages and visited with mum – Miss Susann T came to pick up Wolfy to get him an implant – he was feeling better enough to get that done – So Wolfy and Miss Susann went to the vet together for the implant.

Possum Here: Don't forget about Miss Brie she came to help too – she and mum got poopy papers picked up and new ones put down – Miss Brie and Miss Iliana came the same week this month - Miss Mindy got our pouch set up so we can use it when it is nice out side – we have had a couple of new families here to visit – Mr Tim he came too see if he could adopt – he decided that he would wait until he did not have a bird any more – his bird is 17 and Mr Tim thought it might be too stressful for the bird to have a ferret in the same house with his bird. Then there was Riley and Charlie – they brought their ferret Friskie to see if he wanted a friend – the first day he came he was sort of interested in a friend – the second time he was not interested at all – mum thinks he just wants to be an only child.

Suzie Q Here: My turn do you guys remember that little girl that was found in the dumpster last December – Miss Mindy went to get her for mum – Miss Sheilla named her – well she did not want to be here when she came in – mum had to fight to keep her alive – but just the other day mum gave Luna the kitchen when she came in from work – that means Luna got to come up to mums space as well – mum was out in the store working for a bit – about 10 am mum started putting first shift kids away – when mum came up to find Luna she looked in the dresser we have to sleep in – in the bathroom - mum pulled the bottom drawer out because Luna was not in any of the upper drawers – Luna was not in or behind the bottom drawer however mum found 7 of her socks and one of ours was behind the bottom drawer – Luna was one busy lady in the short time she had to be in mums space – mum calls her a little stinker – when mum gives us one of her old socks she knots it so she knows it is ours – if there is no knot in the sock it is one of mums – Luna does not care who's sock it is she will steal it and stash it if she can!
  We want to remind you again about The 2011 Phoenix Ferret Symposium presented by the International Ferret Congress (IFC) will be held June 3 - 5 at the Fiesta Resort Conference Center in Tempe, AZ.. Mention Ferret Symposium for special rates starting at $75 per night, taxes not included. Go to the IFC web site for registration forms and info. Registration deadline is May 11, 2011 so if you plan to join us please get your registration in soon.

Possum Here: But Suzie don't forget the weekend after that is our clinic day with our favorite Doc – food – fun and the play yard will be set up to let all the fur kids that come - hang out – that is June 11th – if you want your fur kid to see the Doc then you need to get a registration form from mum – if you are coming just to hang out to have some fun then no need to register – we include a dish to pass picnic on that day - so letting mum know you are coming so she knows how many hotdogs to have on hand would be good. There will be raffles and Miss Lynne in Washington State has another stained glass piece for raffle again this year – Miss Mindy has the new piece on the front of our web site.
  All the notes are gone Suzie so I think we are done with this news this month.

We hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather!
Until next month...

Possum senior reporter
Suzie Q cub reporter

Possum Here: Well March is here but spring is sure taking its time getting here, me and mum are sure tired of being cold.

Suzie Q Here: Possum spring is on the way just a couple more weeks and you will be complaining that it is too hot. There have been all kinds of things going on here at the shelter – back last month we had our open house to show off our new shelter – the weather was poopy on the day we were going to have it so mum moved it to the next day only 3 people from far far away did not get mums message about changing the date so Miss Nicky from Corning – Miss Christine from Auburn and Mr. Pete from Ithaca all showed up Saturday afternoon for the open house – Miss Donna from Rochester got here about 3:30 to help mum around the shelter.
  That was some weather they drove in to get here – mum put on a pot of coffee – Mr. Pete opened the box of goodies that Miss Christine brought in – and they all went into the shelter to admire the new cages – Miss Christine was new to the shelter so she got to see fur kids and visit with Miss Nicky and Mr. Pete while mum worked – they all stayed for a couple of hours – Sunday morning the weather was much better so mum sent a message that the open house was on – 14 people showed up to visit and join in the food and fun.
  Miss Mindy, Mr. Dick, Miss Mary B, Miss Iliana, Miss Loana. Mr. Clair, Miss Kathleen H. and her friend Mark, Miss Genevieve, her mom Miss Siobhan, a new family that wants to adopt a ferret – 3 children and their dad – mum does not remember their names e but she does remember the sparkle in the eyes of the children when they got to hold and love on us – mum says they have been bitten by the ferret bug.
  Miss Mary B. did her magic with the things we no longer use – she had an auction– we want to thank all of you that participated in the auction on that day– there was enough money brought in to purchase the last of the Ferret Nation add on model to complete Model 142 in the play room – Miss Mindy H. came over to put it together and get it on the cage – it is up and running with kids in it – thanks everybody!

Possum Here: Miss Donna D. Miss Mindy H. and mum spent a whole day weighing every single kid and clipping all four feet of nails on all of us – Miss Donna D. got us up, set us on the scale, mum recorded the weight in our personal data book, Miss Donna D. gave us over to Miss Mindy H. who was waiting to cut our nails – when she took us Miss Donna D. got another one of us – then when Miss Mindy H was done with us Miss Donna D put us away – or in the play area we were in at the time – This gets done every single month – well it is suppose to - Mum and Miss Mindy H. did it for us this month and decided it was a whole lot faster and easier with Miss Donna D. helpen – We need you next month Miss Donna D.

Suzie Q Here: Mum got a report that 322 of you humans looked at our pictures! Miss Brie came over to help mum get our new picture up on the wall – it is huge Mum says once it is settled and she gets urethane on it she will get a picture of it for you – Oh did we tell you Miss Brie adopted 4 more kids yup! yup! yup she did!

Possum Here: Don't forget about Miss Ilana B - she and her other half Bob was here measuring the wall for that picture that Miss Brie and mum got up – Thanks Mr. Bob for taking time to come help us – Mr. Bob played with their far away girls Bandita and Delilah while Miss Iliana did her magic in the shelter – we are so lucky to have so many humans that help mum take care of us – mum mutters all the time that she could not do it without them – Miss Jackie R is still MIA – Where are you Miss Jackie we miss you! Miss Angie from GA said she may come to visit in the near future – oh! Oh and Miss Sue and Mr Neil are coming from IL. next month too to visit – they are going to stay a day or two - Miss Genevieve has been coming in to help – next month she is going to help mum with an out reach project – they are going to an assisted living home in Geneva with Teddy – there have been several new families that have come to look us fur kids over – the Keenen family was here – Reilly and his dad are looking for a buddy for their Friskie ferret they already have – Friskie is their ferrets name – then the Sprague family came to look us over too – they have 3 children – boy did we have fun playing with them – mum put Bear and Weezley in the room with the kids – they danced and played – that was a really fun day for us.

Suzie Q Here: Mum wants us to remind you every month until June that June 3 - 5 the International Ferret Congress is hosting the symposium in Phoenix, Arizona –there is lots of things going to happen that weekend – the registrations are starting to come in – mum put a message out to alert humans that may want to be vendors at that event - they can contact mum if they are going to be at the event and want to set up to sell their wares – here is the IFC web site to see what is happening over that weekend – we – oh excuse me – mum hopes to see you there – we can't go – mum says it is a working weekend for her – we can stay home and hang out with Miss Donna D – she is going to stay with us while mum is gone – we are going to have more fun – Miss Donna lets us get away with all kinds of things.

Possum Here: But Suzie don't forget the weekend after is our clinic day with our favorite Doc – food – fun and the play yard will be set up to let all the fur kids that come - hang out – that is June 11, 2011 – if you want your fur kid to see the Doc then you need to get a registration form from mum ferretfarm@frontiernet.net – if you are coming just to hang out to have some fun then no need to register – we include a dish to pass picnic on that day - so letting mum know you are coming so she knows how many hotdogs to have on hand would be good – Miss Mary does an auction on that day too – there will be raffles and Miss Lynne in Washington State is putting together another stained glass piece for raffle as well – you can see some of the ones she has done in the past – we do not have a picture of the one from last year – this years is going to be a bit different – Miss Lynne has been sharing the progress with mum – it is beautiful – a hint – it is going to be a black ferret this year! Well Suzie what do you think – do we have everything covered that mum had on the list?

Suzie Q Here: it looks like it Possum – you do know the closer June gets the more off the wall mum is going to get don't you – we thought mum was doing melt down last year – HA! This year she has the symposium in AZ and right after that our clinic – mum is going to really melt down this year!

Until next month...
Possum senior reporter
Suzie cub reporter

Possum Here: We're having a party! We're having a party! We're having a party!

Suzie Q Here: Enough already Possum! If you are going to tell people we are having a party - tell them when, where and why.

Possum Here: I was gonna if you had just let me finish – it is February 19th 2011 at the shelter here in Naples NY – noon - till ? It is because we want to show off our new shelter that everybody helped to get us for Christmas – there Suz are you happy now - you are always pushing me around and telling me what to do – we are also going to use last months notes for this months news because mum has her computer back – thanks to Mr. Dave – he got mum back on line – waving at you Mr. Dave!

Suzie Q Here: My name is not Suz!!! Don't forget that Miss Mary B is coming to the party and she told mum she would do an auction so everyone that is here has a chance to get some new - used bedding – toys and things for their fur kids – we are doing a dish to pass meal – so far there is a salad and stuffed potatoes coming – mum is trying to decide what she wants to make – oh yeah caramel corn came in the mail last month – mum would not share it with us – Miss Deena makes it special for mums birthday every year – she sends it to mum because mum loves caramel corn – it is home made caramel corn mum can eat – Mum had to find Sidney a ride to our favorite Doc – he was really sick – bleeding all over the place from his mouth – mum could not get it to stop so Mr Pete came all the way to Naples from Ithaca to get Sidney to get him to Brockport – then Miss Jackie and Mr Bob went up to Brockport to get him to bring him home – he is doing much better now.

Possum Here: Miss Mindy went to pick up a little girl for mum that was found in a dumpster in Batavia NY – she is here in the shelter now – she is finally acting like a ferret – mum has had her in the sick pen up in mums space since she got here on December 15th – Miss Sheilla named her for mum – her name is Luna – Mum calls her Luna Tuna – until this week she did not do much but sleep and eat – when mum let her out of the pen she would sleep in the box Miss Mary B made for us – but this week mum has had to get her out of trouble – she is now climbing behind the TV – that is a No Ferret Zone (NFZ) in this house – Mum says she must be feeling better because Luna is getting into things like we ferrets do - Miss Iliana took mum to lunch at Belhurst Castle over her Christmas vacation – mum had never been there before – thanks Miss Iliana for making our mum smile – mum really enjoyed the afternoon out.

Suzie Q Here: Mum wants us to remind you every month until June that June 3 - 5 the International Ferret Congress is hosting the symposium in Phoenix, Arizona –there is lots of things going to happen that weekend – the registrations are starting to come in – mum put a message out to alert humans that may want to be vendors at that event - they can contact mum if they are going to be at the event and want to set up to sell their wares – here is the IFC web site to see what is happening over that weekend – we – oh excuse me – mum hopes to see you there – we can't go – mum says it is a working weekend for her – we can stay home and hang out with Miss Donna D – she is going to stay with us while mum is gone – we are going to have more fun – Miss Donna lets us get away with all kinds of things.

Possum Here: Suzie – are you crazy – you are telling people about things we do when Miss Donna D is here – if mum gets wind of that stuff she will stay home and send Miss Donna D to work at the symposium – you can not be telling people about the things Miss Donna D lets us do when she watches the shelter – mum will be having all kinds of fits if she knew what went on with our time with Miss Donna!

Suzie Q Here: Mum already knows Miss Donna D spoils us – this is a short news letter but mum wanted us to get it out early so you all could save the date to come to the shelter on the 19th of February – so for now – see you in a couple of weeks!

Possum senior reporter
Suzie cub reporter

Suzie Q Here: Hey Possum wake up – wake up - it is time to do the news – wake up – what is wrong with you?

Possum Here: No! I do not have to wake up – there is no news this month because there are no notes from mum!

Suzie Q Here: Possum sometimes you are just too silly for words – the notes you claim mum did not write are all on the sick computer that is at the computer hospital - so we are going to have to do the news without mums notes this month.

Possum Here: When we do the news without notes we get into trouble!

Suzie Q Here: NO! without notes YOU get into trouble – I don't - so speak for yourself – so a bit of news - little Benji that was staying with us went home with his mom on Christmas day – he was so happy to be with his mom – his mom is so happy to have him home – we had a fantastic Christmas here at the shelter this year – Miss Mindy got all the pictures mum took of us opening our presents up on our web site – you can see them here then Miss Brie and Miss Mindy decided to have a surprise for mum for Christmas – you can see that here. It was such a surprise that mum was not dressed for it – UGH boy was she not dressed for it.

Possum Here: The day was such a great surprise and huge success that on February 19th 2011- we are having a come see our new shelter party – a bring a dish to pass – spend the day loving on me and checking out what everyone did to improve our shelter!

Suzie Q Here: Possum the party is not about you it is about all of us at the shelter - about the improvements that were made here – because of all the humans that are so generous to make it happen!

Possum Here: It can be about me too I am part of the shelter – but whatever – so if you humans want to come to our party let me and Suzie know we will tell mum – we are so excited to show off our new digs!

Suzie Q Here: Exactly Possum - the operative word is part of - so Possum - it is the beginning of a brand new year – it is going to be a big year - did you know that in June there is going to be a symposium in Phoenix, Arizona –there is lots of things going to happen that weekend – the registrations are starting to pour in – mum has a message going out to alert humans that want to be vendors at that event - they can contact mum if they are going to be at the event and want to set up to sell their wares through the IFC web site

Possum Here: Isn't that the same month mum has clinic day – when is that going to happen – how is mum going to go to Arizona and do clinic day?

Suzie Q Here: Look Possum – mum has that covered – she and our favorite doc talked it over and clinic day is going to be on the 11th this year – so mum is going to get to do both - you know mum advocates for us fur kids – you know she works hard to teach folks about us and how to care for us – so she and Doc are going to do the clinic the week end after the symposium – hey do you think we can get Miss Donna to move in with us that week – she can stay and play with us 2 weekends in a row – mum is trying to get Miss Angie to come that month to help her – she has finals the nest 2 weeks after clinic so she is going to be toast by the end of the month.

Possum Here: Miss Brie was here to help mum get the light in the basement stairwell fixed and the dryer vent cleaned and a new one put on – Miss Iliana was here to help mum too – Miss Jackie is MIA – mum even put a tag up saying so – just like she does when one of us is MIA – Miss Stacie brought mums computer back but it is still sick – the computer hospital told mum it is software sick not hardware sick so she needs to find a different hospital for her computer – we are going to have to tell you the things mum put in her notes next month if she can get her other computer fixed so we can get to her notes – we have run out of things to tell you so we are done telling what news we can remember...

What'cha think Suzie are we done with the news?

Suzie Q Here: Yup it looks like we have covered the things our little brains can remember – we did pretty darn good for no notes.

Until next month...
Possum and Suzie Q