Modern Ferret Magazine - Older Notices and What's New

November 2000 Update
Modern Ferret Issue #27 Mailed Out
Issue #27 mailed out on November 7. It can take up to four weeks (sometimes a little longer) for the magazine to reach all subscribers. If you are a subscriber and do not receive your copy of Issue #27 by December 8, please let us know and we will send a replacement. If you've moved, please let us know your new address -- although the post office is supposed to forward the magazine if you have a forwarding order on file with them, they mess up sometimes.
Eric and I are working on Issue #28 right now. We plan on getting the next couple of issues out as quickly as possible.

October 2000 Update
Modern Ferret Issue #27 Update
    We've been moving ahead with several different projects here -- including, of course, Issue #27. The issue should be out by the beginning of November. Issue #27 features an in-depth look at insulinoma from Dr. Jerry Murray (who has lost one of his own ferrets to insulinoma). Dr. Murray answers the question: "Is it OK to add Brewer's Yeast to my insulinomic ferret's diet?" You don't want to miss the answer.
    Also in Modern Ferret Issue #27 -- Living Longer, a new periodic feature where we present ideas, practical tips, and philosophies about how you can help your ferrets live longer. Jennifer Collins, a reader from Maine, writes about the burial ritual she has developed for her ferrets who have passed on. Eric offers a tribute to Sabrina and Marshmallow, who passed away earlier this year (see "The Passing of Good Friends" below in the August 2000 Update). Plus other wonderful ferrety stuff (how to keep your ferrets entertained, a craft project, providing for your ferrets in your will, a Ferreted Fairy-Tail, an adorable centerfold photo, and more).
    See the cover of Issue #27 in the October 8th entry of Our Journal (link removed) -- it's Balthazar, larger than life!

ModernFerretStore.com
We are continuing to completely flesh-out this site by offer new items. Retail: You can now order Modern Ferret subscriptions online. As the busy holiday season approaches, you'll want to get some neat stuff for the ferret lovers on your holiday list -- and some gifts for yourself wouldn't be bad either. Wholesale: We've got some great bulk-offer deals on books, Modern Ferret back issues, and other items for clubs, shelters, pet retailers, vet offices, or anyone who wants to re-sell these Modern Ferret items. You can order securely online. We expect to be busy this holiday season, so start thinking about your business' holiday merchandise needs now! WWW.MODERNFERRETSTORE.COM

How's Eric? ... How's Mary? ... More importantly, how are the fuzzies?!
    Eric's health continues to mostly improve. He's feeling well enough most of the time to do the things that need doing. Balancing the various medications he must take to continue to feel well can be a challenge at times, but we are all determined to get him "up and running" again at his full capacity. ;o)
    Mary (that's me) has been hanging in there. However, it looks like I managed to get a ulcer of my very own after this year's roller-coaster ride. Fortunately, ulcers are fairly easily healed with proper medication.
    The Modern Ferret ferrets are all doing well. Trixie, Knuks, and Koosh got to be on TV in September. Koosh hammed it up in a most outrageous manner -- he lounged in the hammock of the travel cage while drinking up-side-down from the water bottle. The camera fell in love with him. Of course, the minute he got out of the cage, he was a little (well, big, actually) wiggly weasel. Trixie and Knuks were a bit more reserved but every bit as adorable.
    Bosco da Gama was a bit under the weather. After having adrenal surgery, he never really bounced back. His liver values went up, and to get them back into the normal range, we had to give him subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids several times a day for about two weeks. What a learning experience! About a month later, Bosco went in for exploratory surgery (after an ultrasound confirmed that surgery was necessary). No tumors, but the biopsies showed a lot of inflammation in his intestines. He's been on prednisone (which has helped tremendously) since then.

Keeping Up With Modern Ferret
You can always check out Our Journal for more frequent updates. (Link removed.)

August 2000 Update
What's Been Going On Here?
    Due to Eric's unexpected, severe, but (we hope) temporary disability, there have been no issues of Modern Ferret since #26. As Modern Ferret readers know, the magazine is put together entirely by two people: Eric and me (Mary). At some point in February or March (possibly with beginnings even earlier), Eric began to suffer from severe inflammation in his lower back. It is most likely related to his Crohn's Disease (Eric has written some editorials about his battle with Crohn's). An MRI showed no damage to his back (thank goodness!). Eric is working with a rheumatologist and is in physical therapy to help get the inflammation under control, but it takes time.
    After Issue #26 came out, Eric and I took some time to publish a book -- The Wit and Wisdom of the Modern Ferrets: A Ferret's Perspective on Ferret Care (see www.ferrettradingpost.com to order a copy online if you wish). We then settled down to working on Issue #27. Unfortunately, as we began work on Issue #27, Eric's back pain became so severe that he could no longer sit at the computer for more than a few minutes at a time. Some days he was virtually bed-ridden. It took a good deal of time to diagnose Eric's problem and, in the meantime, pain killers offered no relief (or if they did, they made it impossible for Eric to think clearly). He was not able to sleep more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. Although he is doing a little better now, he still cannot get a full night's sleep and has days where the pain cannot be quieted. I have tried to keep up with the things I can. Now that I've learned how to work Front Page, I can at least keep our web visitors apprised of our progress.
    At this time, Eric and I have begun to work on a re-launch plan for Modern Ferret. We will be implementing it over the next month, as Eric becomes more able to work.
    Thank you for your patience and support.

Our New Book Is Out!
We have put together a new book, The Wit and Wisdom of the Modern Ferrets: A Ferret’s Perspective On Ferret Care, which you can order online at www.modernferretstore.com. You can even order a signed copy! Wholesale pricing starts with a minimum order of only six (6) books. For wholesale ordering information see www.modernferretstore.com.

New! Online Ordering
We now offer secure online ordering for subscriptions, back issues, posters, books, note cards, Nap Socks and other goodies at www.modernferretstore.com. Of course, you can still mail or fax your order if you prefer. Our new storefront has some items that will be offered only on the web -- so take a look!

The Passing of Good Friends
    It is with great sadness that I tell you of the passing of two of our cherished friends, Sabrina and Marshmallow. "Brina" and "Shmoo" (our favorite nicknames for them) were two of the gentlest ferrets we've had the great pleasure to know and love.
    After a long battle with insulinoma, Marshmallow could no longer fight the disease. We were able to keep him comfortable and happy until his little body just gave up. He was six and a half years old. Sabrina was our little old lady. At eight years old -- blind and on medication for fluid retention -- she continued to enjoy her crunchies (no stranger to the food dish, our old girl!) and wander around the living room nightly. She suffered a seizure one night and we felt it best to help her to The Rainbow Bridge.
    Both Sabrina and Marshmallow were friendly voices in Modern Ferret magazine. I know many of you feel that you knew them and I know that you will miss them as we miss them. Eric and I are comforted by the knowledge that Sabrina and Marshmallow were able to touch your hearts.