I just started receiving the FML myself, and I also enjoy it.  I would like
to add that I know what kind of pain one goes through when losing a ferret,
or a pet for that matter.  One day I noticed that my ferret, "Sundi", was
not eating like she was supposed to; so I took her to the veterinarian to
get her checked out.  Come to find out, she had a tumor in some part of her
lower abdomen.  I was given the option to either have her put to sleep or to
take her home and just "wait it out." Several weeks had gone by and I could
see a gradual deterioration in her.  I knew the day was almost here.  I came
home late one evening and went to Sundi's cage to ckeck on her.  She was
whimpering and could barely move across the cage.  I immediately grabbed her
and held her in my arms, gently rubbing by hand along her back and coaxing
her with a soft voice.  She was in my arms no longer than a minute, when
suddenly I heard this gasp for air and felt something warm running down my
arm.  I was stunned and could not think of what to do.  She was later buried
by my father, because I could not handle the pain.  What really helped me
cope with her death is the fact that she "waited" for me to check on her
before she passed away.  I think I can live with that!
[Posted in FML issue 1274]