The sun was barely up when No. 421 climbed out of his hammy. Oliver was
in his room still asleep. No. 421 put the oatmeal on to cook and began
to set the table when there was a soft knock on the door. No. 421 was
very surprised as no one was usually up at this hour.

When he opened the door, the Receiving Angel was there with a beautiful
ferret the shade of vanilla and cinnamon, kissed with rose.

"Well, well, No. 421 said. "What have we here? What brings you out so
early in the day"?

The Receiving Angel put the ferret down and spoke softly to No. 421.
"This is Mugzy," the angel said. "He arrived this morning and sort of
crept in under the desk. He told me his name and that he was newly
arrived. That was all. Then he asked for pencil and paper to write a
letter home to his Mom Sandy. Said he left rather suddenly and did not
have time to say good buy."

No. 421 looked at the ferret and asked if he had other family at the
bridge.

Mugzy was still holding his letter and said he thought he did, but he
was not sure.

"Well, don't worry about it," No. 421 said. "I'll tell Skye to keep an
eye out. Now, about that letter. You cannot mail it, but I can get
Shooting Star to deliver it for you."

Shooting Star heard her name being called. She was just about to go to
bed after being up all night, but she hurried to No. 421's cabin. She
landed quietly outside No. 421's door and knocked lightly with one of
her points. The Receiving Angel opened the door. He welcomed Shooting
Star in and said hello. No. 421 invited him to stay, but he said he
was just leaving anyway, and with a swoosh of his wings, he was gone.

Good Morning, Son," No. 421 said. "Let's see what you have here."

It is a letter to my Mom," Mugzy said. "I want to be sure she gets it
so I wrote it down.

I'm very sorry I had to leave like I did and I need to tell her so.
Would you like to hear my letter and see if it is all right?"

No. 421 said he would, so Mugzy opened up his letter and Shooting Star
sat down to listen.

"Dear Mom,

I'm sorry I had to leave so suddenly and in the night. I heard the
angel call my name, and he said it would be best if I just left and
you remembered me as I was. I am fine now, but I was getting old for
a ferret, and I knew my time was near.

I want you to remember all the kisses I gave you, I love you so. I
could tell you loved me to by the way you held me. I could feel your
love in your hands. I could not tell you as I could not speak you
words, but I could snuggle up to you, give you kisses from my heart.

Mom, I just could not have you cry when it was time for us to part, and
I did not want to go to the vet. That would have been so very hard on
you. So I asked the angel to just slip down and carry me away, but not
before I gave you enough extra kisses and love to hold you over till we
meet again.

Mom, my beautiful coat came with me, and the beautiful rose color is
almost like the clouds at sunset. Here at the Rainbow Bridge, I will
be able to blend in with the clouds and watch you as you go about your
chores.

Mom, it is really beautiful here. The Receiving Angel is a really nice
man, and he said the way I came in and by hiding under his desk till
I could write this letter, he would bring me to Bridgegreeter No. 421
himself. He said this was a little different greeting, but I feel
welcome here. I miss you and Finny. Take care of him for me. After
talking to The Receiving Angel, I guess I will build a mound for myself
with extra rooms for my family.

Now Mom, I must give this letter to Shooting Star, a really nice lady
star who will deliver this for me.

I love you Mom, I miss you, and I want to thank you and my first mom,
Keliegh for taking such good care of me. I know you both loved me very
much.

I'll always be alive in your heart, Mom. I'll never leave you, we will
be together in your heart till you hold me again in your arms."

Lots of love,
Mugzy


No. 421's kitchen was very quiet. Shooting Star wiped a tear from her
eye, and No. 421 blew his nose so loudly Oliver woke up. He toddled out
and stopped short seeing the new ferret. Shooting Star took the letter
and slipped out the door, and No. 421 introduced Mugzy to Oliver.

Oliver said he would help Mugzy build his mound after they all had
breakfast. After breakfast, No. 421 told the boys to go out and get
started. The boys left to go pick out a building site, and No. 421
did up the dishes. He took down his logbook and wrote; Mission
accomplished. Mugzy is out with Oliver and the two are getting along
very well.

He sent a lovely letter home to both of his Mom's and Shooting Star
will deliver it tonight.

Then he sat back in his chair. This was not your typical bridge
greeting. He thought about the letter and wiped a tear from his own
eye. Boy oh boy, wouldn't he like to have a Mom like Sandy. Someone
to give him lots of love and cuddles. When the second tear fell, he
decided to get the broom and sweep up the place. Oliver would be gone
all day so it was a good day to clean.

[Posted in FML 7004]