As you might all know I lost my Big Vinnie this night and a friend I
told send me this poem it's beautiful and literally brought me to tears
I thought I would share the poem with you all.
 
Little Ferret's prayer=20
 
"I'll lend you, for a little while, a ferret of mine," He said.
"For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years, or maybe twenty-three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, as all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this ferret to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think this labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again."
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done."
For all the joy this ferret shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shower him with tenderness and love while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.
And should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."
 
-Author Unknown.
(adapted for gender)
[Posted in FML issue 4785]