Hi everyone, Well, heartbreak has struck. For the first time in more than 10 years I am without a ferret after the death last week of my darling shelter boy Jasper. He was just shy of four years old. Three weeks ago I'd noticed a small tumor on his forehead and after waiting a week to be sure it wasn't a bug bite of some kind, brought him in for a biopsy or surgery. His appetite had gone down and he wasn't as active as usual, so I feared the worst -- the Big C. The tumor proved benign, but I think he probably already had pneumonia then and nobody knew it. He wasn't coughing or feverish or showed any of the other signs of pneumonia like people do. But after the surgery he just got worse. I force-fed him duck soup for two days before bringing him back to the vet. The vet was also mystified -- we did a CBC and some other tests, all negative -- but then an x-ray showed one lung almost blocked by congestion. He was at the vet's for three days and died of pneumonia after at least two strong antibiotics failed to arrest the disease. Two months ago I lost his shelter mate Roamey, also adopted from FARI. Roamey had adrenal cancer in his right gland and the surgeon my vet sent me to recommended against surgery because of its location and the likelihood it would just grow right back. Roamey lived for a year after the initial diagnosis, and though he lost most of his fur, for all but the last couple of weeks he was pretty active and seemed be enjoying life. Altogether, I've had seven ferrets over the past 18 years. My apartment has a spare bedroom just for the ferrets with lots of toys, boxes & stuff to play in, comfy sleeping areas and a supportive landlord. The ferrets stay in this bedroom while I'm out of the house. When I'm home they usually have the run of the apartment, which is very ferret-safe. I also take them on leashed walks in the yard and gardens outside. I'm getting married next year and will move into my future husband's home, a split level with a finished basement that will be the kids' quarters. My boyfriend is supportive of my wish to adopt more ferrets -- heck, he's the one who suggested it :) I want to adopt from a shelter or from somebody who needs to find a loving home for their kids. I don't want to perpetuate the 'ferret mill' syndrome by buying from a pet store. I would go right back to Holly & Moe Cyr at FARI except I moved last year and now live in upstate New York, near Binghamton, a good six hours' drive each way from the Cyrs' shelter. If they remember Jasper and Roamey (whom they saw at a ferret frolic a year after the adoption) I'm sure they'd give me a good reference, and my vet would too. I would like two males of similar ages if possible, the more affectionate the better, and no biters please! Hope to hear from someone soon! Life without fuzzies isn't much fun!!! Susann [Posted in FML issue 3158]