Ferret Friends

Hello, I am a volunteer webmaster at Ferrets Unlimited. Like most animal shelters, Ferrets Unlimited struggles to make ends meet.

I have decided to create a Ferret Friends list, which I will post prominently on this site, and my own Ferret Café web site. This list will include the name of any individual or business that is willing to donate to the shelter. Ferrets Unlimited is a registered charity, so your donation is tax deductible.

As long as your Web site is not naughty in any way, I will include also include a link to your Website, if you have one. This is a wonderful deal for businesses, because you would be receiving free advertising, in exchange for a tax-deductible donation.

If you are interested, you may use the PayPal donation button below to donate online, or contact the shelter directly for information about sending a donation to the shelter or their veterinarian.

To be added to the Ferret Friends list, please contact me, telling me that you made a donation and what information you would like to be included on our list. I am using the honor system here, as I do not handle donations.

If you are unable to make a financial donation, there are plenty of other ways you can help either at Ferrets Unlimited, or at your local shelter.

Julianne

Stray thoughts

Most of you don't know that my loving son, called unexpectedly and said "Mom check your email. Your itinerary is there, you are flying out to visit on the 8th."

Thanks to the few volunteers here, it was possible and I almost didn't think about the shelter for a few days. (If you believe that I have a bridge in the middle of the desert, over a lake, on land with oil for sale.)

He lives in Stafford, VA. which is very close to Washington DC. Friday he had to go to DC for a meeting, and since I had never been, I tagged along an wandered.

I started at the Marine Corps Memorial Park. That is were the Iwo Jima Monument is. It is very awe inspiring.

On it is a saying. Uncommon valor was a common virtue. It is so true. It is the truth today of our military as it was then.

Then I wandered over to Arlington National cemetery. Most people don't think much of it. But it is something to see, and to think about.

I mean, there are rows upon rows, upon rows of white head stones, all in a line. Straight as far as you can see. Then you stop to think about all of the solders that gave their lives, or gave up part of their life to defend and protect our country that are NOT buried here, but in cemeteries across the country, and the ones who never made it home. The numbers are staggering. Dumb founded I walked through Arlington, these people cared enough about freedom to do something.

I glanced down one road, there was a fresh grave. Just covered. The young man was 23. My daughters age, younger than my son. My heart broke for his parents. He believed in the ideals of freedom to give his life. A bit further up, they were just starting to dig a grave, my hopes it is for a military man or woman that lived to a ripe old age, and not a young person who did not get to experience so many of the wonders of life.

Further down the road, and up a very long hill, was The Tomb of the Unknowns. Each war has an Unknown Solder solder interned there. I happened upon a small ceremony to honor the Unknowns. Two groups from VFW's placed wreaths. The military personal that were there, stiff and formal. Walking with controlled graceful movements, very purposefully. Very determined, very proud. The solemnness of the short ceremony was defining.

Tears started while I watched, not for those who lay in the tomb, or those who have passed, but for all of us who do not understand or appreciate what their sacrifices meant, and still mean.

There is a page on this site called "For America". That page will never come down, as long as I have something to say about it.

But after reading what I wrote back when 9/11 happened. I realized that it has happened. Apathy has taken us back. We let it lull us back into it's non caring, not my business, not my problem arms.

The flags don't fly any more. You could walk down just about any given residential street, and flags were raised. They were on cars, trucks, bikes, in windows. They couldn't make enough of the American flag to satisfy the need to show the pride we had in our country. Slowly, but surely one by one the flags have disappeared. Not to be replaced.

Since 9/11 I have had four flags retired because they became dirty, or torn. I didn't replace them with a fifth flag. I too am guilty of not showing my pride, but I am proud of this country, of our military.

Yes, those who serve chose to join. You are right it was THEIR choice. But their choice guards our rights not to join, or to bitch and complain about the color of jeans in the stores. They chose to PROTECT US if the need ever arose.

Now, they are fighting a war in another country, really not to protect us, but to give those people the chance to experience some freedoms they have never experienced before. For some people who do not appreciate what they are trying to do.

I don't particularly agree with the war, but that won't stop me from being supportive of the troops over there. A local Marine Unit, 325, lost 48 Marines in that war. 48 from one small city.

That is 48 too many.

Show that you care, support the USO, support groups that put together care packages for our Military personnel. They so appreciate those items.

Me, know what I am going to do tomorrow? I am going to buy a flag and put it back up. And if I can afford it, a Marine Corps flag too, because I am a USMC Mom.

Show your support of our troops, of our country. PLEASE.