Cassie left for the Bridge last night of an apparent heart attack. She
died quickly, with no indication of suffering. for what may have been
the first time in her too-short life.

Many people knew Cassie as the profoundly handicapped albino from the
Last Chance Ferret Rescue. She was a staple at the Philadelphia Pherret
Phestival, and an ambassador of goodwill for all of us.

Cassie came to the rescue through a fortunate accident: Diane had gone
to one of the many nearby SPCAs that call us when a ferret comes in.
She was there to pick up an entirely different ferret. When Diane asked
about the ferret, one of the women behind the counter asked, "Do you
mean the white one?"

"Oh, no," said a second woman. "That one's scheduled to be put down."

"No it's not," replied Diane instantly. "Bring her out. She's coming
with me." At this point, Diane hadn't seen or heard anything about a
white ferret. It didn't matter; no one was putting a ferret down for
no reason on her watch.

What they brought out was the most horribly handicapped ferret we'd
ever seen. Her back was twisted and misaligned; we later learned it
had been broken in three places, and allowed to heal crooked. Her hind
legs were twisted and malformed, and completely atrophied. Further
examination revealed her canine teeth had been cut.

She'd been found wandering the streets of Philadelphia. Since she
couldn't run - or even walk - we doubted that she'd escaped. The nature
of her injuries coupled with where she'd been found suggested she may
have been used in a dog-fighting ring, to excite the dogs. Diane named
her Cassandra - Cassie for short - and she became a permanent resident
of the Rescue.

Through it all, Cassie was a happy little ferret. When she first got
here, her front legs still worked, and when she was excited, she would
dance - only her front legs moved, but there was no mistaking her joy.

Back then she could still drag herself around the room. We tried giving
her a cart, but she never really got the hang of it, so we left her
alone. Over time, her front legs also began to atrophy; toward the end,
the only way she could move herself was by twisting and turning her
head against the floor. But it didn't stop her from trying.

Marty and Joyce Morley came to our rescue about three years ago. From
the first moment, they became our angels. To this day, they help with
the bulk of our expenses; were it not for them, the Last Chance Ferret
Rescue would be no more.

Marty fell in love with Cassie at first sight, and began working on
Diane to allow him to take her home. Diane wasn't an easy sell, but
after about 6 months, decided to let Cassie go with them, on a trial
basis. She came back for visits and the occasional vacation, but she
spent the rest of her life with the Morleys.

And little wonder: Cassie would spend nearly every minute with Marty.
She'd lie by the side of the pool or hot tub, and go with them for
walks on the boardwalk during the summer. She'd sit on his lap when
he was at his desk, working on his computer or handling phone calls.

She loved watermelon, so Marty would make sure it was available for
her year round. And when there was a birthday, Cassie would sit at the
table in her own high chair, and share a little piece of birthday cake.
I can't think of a single family event over the last couple years where
Cassie didn't take center stage. And you could tell she loved the
attention.

Cassie died on Thursday, May 24, at about 9:40 PM. She leaves behind
her special ferret friend Nelly, and her human families, Marty and
Joyce Morley, their daughters Brianna and Jessie, and her rescue
family, Diane and Steve Bodofsky of the Last Chance Ferret Rescue,
and their daughter, Tara.

Cassie will never know how deeply she touched the lives of so many
people in her short, difficult life. She will be missed for many
years to come.

Steve Bodofsky
The Last Chance Ferret Rescue, and
The New Rainbow Bridge
www.newrainbowbridge.com

[Posted in FML 5619]