Please, don't feel stupid if you were taken in by these people before. I was too, simply because I would have never guessed that people would want to do that kind of thing. It doesn't make you stupid at all if you "fell for it." I think Cazi's post had some good points in it on how to see this. Most of us I think are true pet lovers and can't imagine making up these things. It is a shock, and probably those of us who have seen this for the first time will be a bit more wary in the future, but certainly don't let someone like that make you feel you are stupid. You are special, loving, caring people.