In Aug of 1985 I added my first ferret to the family and in Dec we added
a 3 week old puppy, Sunny (for Sunshine of my life).  I have pictures of
Sunny laying on this huge dog bed and Nipper sleeping beside him (who was
the same size).  Also pictures of Sunny playing and caring for the litters
of ferrets we had.  Sunny loved the ferrets.  His favorite was Gizzie.
When Gizzie had his surgery and we came home, Sunny gently pushed Gizzie
over on his side and Sunny gently nuzzled Gizzies tummy were the stitches
were.  These two shared a special bond.  Gizzie died a couple years ago.
The night he died I walked into the livingroom and Sunny was looking down
at Gizzies lifeless body.  As silent tears trickled down my face, Sunny
turned to look at me then lowered his head again to Gizzie.  This was the
one thing I could not heal and I don't think Sunny quite understood that.
It seems as if Sunny changed that day.
 
Pumkin loved Sunny.  The other night Pumkin came up and genlty nuzzled
Sunny's huge paw.  Sunny had hairs that stuck up and out between his toes,
not just a few but a whole gob of them.  Pumkin would gently push his nose
through the hairs then lick Sunny's paw, look up at Sunny's face then do it
again.  Although Pumkin was willing to share the bond, Sunny would tolerate
him but wasn't willing to bond again, not after loosing Gizzie.
 
Last night Sunny made his last trip to the vet.  He had D.M.  (I won't even
attempt to spell it here but basically the back end of his body didn't know
it was there and it progressed to the point that this 65# dog was light
as a feather, had lost control of bodily functions for some time now, and
couldn't walk or stand without my help) and even though his mind was clear,
his body had failed.
 
I remember having visitors and friends over and the house having a stinky
odor from Sunny (his body no longer processed his food properly).  I would
apologize profusely for the odor and I hope that they understood.  I didn't
blame Sunny, but it was embarrassing.
 
Sunny wasn't a great dog, but he was a good loving dog and he was part
of my life for 14 1/2 years.  He'd been with me through both mental and
physical abuse relationships and a divorce.  He loved the ferrets,
especially babies and Gizzie and it wasn't till Gizzie died that he
guarded his emotions and was unwillingly to love as freely ever again.
 
Now, Gizzie and Sunny are together again....forever.
 
Please, as a tribute to Sunny, give your little ones an extra hug this
evening.
 
I apologize if I've missed sending condolences out to anyone.  It's been a
difficult time.  Please know that each time I read of a loss, I share your
grief.  My heartfelt condolences.
 
And I apologize too if I've forgotten to thank anyone.  Thank you.
 
Warm hugs to all. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart
Ferret Family Services
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/
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[Posted in FML issue 3160]