Firstly, I wish to thank everyone who has ICQ'd, emailed or posted about
Slinky.  I have received several emails (sorry if I haven't replied yet, I
had to go out of town, and couldn't handle going through them just then)
 
I was sent an awesome bunch of virtual flowers, the colour of the flowers
similar to the colour of the flowers on the bush I planted over Slinky's
grave :o0 and a lovely Ferret card with the rainbow bridge story on it.
That story always catches my heart :o( I was also sent an email filled with
stories of the rainbow bridge and similar to help ease Slinky's passing.
 
When Slinky died, I guess I was kinda numb.  It happened so very quickly.
On Thursday morning she was skinny, by Saturday morning, she had died.  She
was so full of life it was hard to fully comprehend that she wouldn't still
be around.  A few things brought it home to me.  The first was my trip.
While I was away I helped out at a ferret-related function in Auckland.
There were (naturally enough) other Slinky's there, and I had to keep
catching myself from thinking that I should've brought her, or that I'd be
seeing her, or that she would be waiting for me at home.  The second was
MC's post in yesterdays FML.  MC and I have been good friends for some time
now, we met a couple of times on my trip to the States, right at the start
and again at the end of the trip.  He took in my kits when I sent them over
to the US.  His post expressed things that I hadn't really given myself the
time, or the chance, to feel yet.  Sometimes, I guess it's just hard to let
go, and although I'd buried Slinky, and planted a bush (well two) over her
grave in her memory, I guess I hadn't yet let her go.
 
It feels strange only having six ferrets (well plus kits) in the house now.
That, I'm sure, will change once the kits are grown.  Unfortunately, while
I was away, two kits 'disappeared' - my parents are wonderful ferret
sitters, however I guess the kits must have become separated from their
mama for too long (I normally hear them and shuffle them back in with the
others if they cry) and died.  One of the remaining kits is about half the
size of the others, but still seems to be 'fat' so I guess it's just a
"runt", I'll be keeping particular attention on that little one, but Baby
finally keeps them all in one place now, so hopefully they'll be all okay
from now on.  If things come in threes, I'm hoping those last two kits were
the third thing.  I feel responsible for what's happened to my guys,
wondering if anything could have been done differently.  I feel sure that
if I'd found a different vet (there are three awesome ones and one bad one
at the clinic, guess who I caught in the middle of the night?!) Slinky
would've had a better chance.  However, I don't know if it's grief talking,
or what... <sigh> These past few weeks have been bad enough, let's hope
Podo will be home soon, the remaining of the kits surviveand Kitten gives
birth to healthy litter (presuming she's pregnant and not "pretending"
 
I definitely do NOT plan on giving up my ferrets because of the last few
weeks, but I can understand how some people can make that decision.
 
Hugs to all those with ferrets who have passed over the Bridge recently,
and rest well in the knowledge that my Slinky is probably busy teaching
them bad habits as you read ;o)
 
Sam
[Posted in FML issue 2515]