To My Dear Ferret Family,

Rocky left this world, with the help of the vet, on Wednesday evening,
after bravely battling insulinoma, adrenal disease and lymphoma over
the course of 2 years. He is now free of pain and at peace.

Rocky arrived at my house, as a surprise, on Apr. 1, 2001, in a men's
ski cap. It was a year after the death of my beloved cat Yoda, who
shared 19 years with me. I had just decided that I wasn't going to get
a ferret upon hearing about all the terrible disease they get. But
there he was, so little that he was all the way in the bottom of cap.
When he climbed up and peaked his head out, I said, "Oh he's so cute."
Separated from his ferret mom too early, he needed a mom. Isolated and
unable to work because of my medical problems, I needed a companion and
a purpose. We bonded very quickly.

His kit months were difficult for a first-time ferret mom. During the
first 6 months, I wasn't sure I could handle the responsibility because
of my own problems, my small old apartment and the kind of care and
attention a kit requires. Despite the demands of raising this strange
new creature, Rocky brought me so much joy and laughter. I loved
watching him grow so quickly, a different part getting larger each week
and then getting longer and longer, his neck getting bigger and his
head seeming to shrink in comparison. I hated being apart from him.
Whenever I went anywhere, even to do things I enjoyed, I couldn't wait
to get back and see him. I was captivated by the charms of this new
species.

Rocky was my mischievous little boy, my silly clown, my playmate, my
real-life cartoon character, my household assistant, my constant
companion and my "ferapist" (the best therapist I ever had!). He got
me out of bed when I was reluctant to do so, made me laugh when I was
sad, calmed me down when I was anxious and gave me lots of exercise as
we chased each other around the apartment. We were two of a kind. He
couldn't stand being around other ferrets, just as I disliked being
with the other kids in kindergarten. We were both loners. Like me, he
was serious and sensitive, but also fun-loving and silly. We both hated
being constrained and neither of us liked the cage.

The summer I joined FML, when he was 1 1/2 yrs. old, I began leaving
his cage door open more and more until it became merely a feeding
station. Though I knew the hazards of a giving a ferret free-run of the
apartment, I made sure my home was carefully ferret-proofed, thanks to
many of you. Finally willing to take the risk, I dissembled the cage
and put it away. Freedom was the best gift I could give him. The
apartment became his as much as mine.

For many years, Rocky made me laugh every day, not only from his
comical antics but merely by the way he walked, bouncing back and forth
with arched back in that ridiculous way ferrets move. In his later
years, when illness and old age slowed him down and playtime got
shorter and shorter, I discovered new pleasures. I loved holding him
in my arms, feeding him on my lap, and seeing him walk into the room
as he looked for a clean newspaper or a different place to sleep.

Rocky introduced me to the wonderful world of Mustilidae and to you,
the kindest most-caring group of people I've ever known. You have made
me laugh with your stories, educated me on care and feeding, and helped
me during the difficult time of his illness with information and
support. I will miss all of you just as I miss Rocky so much. I don't
know if there's a ferret in my future, but just as I will never forget
my wonderful time with Rocky, I will never forget your kindness and
concern. Thank you for being there for us.

Shron & Rocky -- February 6, 2001-March 25, 2009

P.S. Please send me info on where I can send Rocky's body for research
to benefit ferret health.

[Posted in FML 6285]