Many of us view ferrets, and other animal companions, as family members
Perhaps that is where the perception that they are our children comes
from.  If you think about it, ferrets are like kids.  They rely on us
for their care, nurturing and healing, playing and loving, as human
children do.
 
Our home is relatively quiet with me being the only human occupant
(maid/cook) but when company arrives the ferrets want to be the center
of attention and will actually do cute things to get a response.  When
the response is received they do more.  When I'm on the phone or busy
cleaning or making their recipe, at least one of the little ones always
wants my attention.  I can't read a book at home because somebody else is
always nosing through the pages.  And try to do paperwork!  Oh my.  One
night I went through my file boxes to find a document and I had three
ferrets searching with me.  Never mind they didn't know WHAT I was
looking for, they were going to help and from time to time they would
actually pull out a piece of paper (probably to show me in case it was
the one I was looking for).  And what about the pick me up/put me down
thing?  Isn't that like a baby tossing a toy on the floor for you to pick
up and give back then they do it again and again?  And I've actually
experienced a furchild tossing a toy on the floor for me to pick up and
when I give it back to them they toss it down again!
 
My perception of the Rainbow Bridge -
When a being dies, their body (shell) stays here on earth.  Their spirit
is what moves on to the next realm.  In the next realm there is no pain
or suffering, there is no anger or grief, there is only love for all.
 
Whether one believes in the Rainbow Bridge, an Afterlife, or not, each of
us should be kind enough to respect anothers belief even though it may
not be the same as our own.
 
I try not to say things that will harm another, and at times it is so
difficult I say nothing or I have to write my post several times before
I am satisfied with it.  With difficult posts, I often write them, leave
them for awhile then come back a few hours later and read and rewrite.
And sometimes I delete them and let it go.
 
Hugs to all. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart, F.B.S.
Ferret Family Services
http://www.ferretfamilyservices.org
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/
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[Posted in FML issue 3909]