Today, I have stopped crying enough (I lie) to ask you all to say goodbye to my buddy, Dook E. Ferret, and to wish him a safe trip to the Rainbow Bridge. The day before I left for the UK on business, Dook E. seemed to be having trouble making his business. I gave him a bit of laxatone, and brought him to my Mom, along with all of his supplies and instructions on what to do in case (this was the furthest thing from my mine, this will never happen) ...on what to do if there is a problem. I told Dook E., 'Mamma loves you, Buddy, I'll see you in a month'........gave him a kiss and off I went....... Once I reached the UK, I got a call that Dookie was very ill. My Mom called my friends, whom I can't thank enough. Lise and Loe came to my Mom's, checked him, and called more friends, Rob and Liz, who drove an hour to pick him up, and they brought him to my wonderful vet. In less than a weeks time, Dookie underwent 2 surgeries to remove kidney stones that were stuck in his Urethra. I knew that this was critical, because he only had one kidney left after an illness that he barley survived last year. I knew, but I'm 3000 miles away, I also had (and have) the utmost confidence in my friends. I tried to prepare myself to make a decision, which I did badly (Is there such a thing???). Life was the choice for me, but Dookie disagreed. Although I tried to prepare myself, nothing here has been able to help me cope with my loss. I have no shoulders to cry on, and no hugs to be had. My buddy, my special friend, who slept in my sock drawer, and woke me up in the morning with kissies, is gone forever, and I will not enjoy the pleasure of his company ever again. My room is empty, and there is a hole in my heart. If it ever stops raining here in the UK, I will go to the Nene River, where I will float a yellow rose in remembrance and honor of Dook E. Ferret. There will never be another like him. I will let him go, and maybe, I will be able to stop crying. I would like to end this post with a message for all of you: Ferrets are very fragile. They can become very sick and die so quickly, it can make your head spin. If you are leaving your ferrets with a friend or a sitter, say goodbye to them, as if you would never get a chance to see them again. You will regret it if you don't, and something happens, I know.... Also, if you are a ferret owner, and you don't have any friends that own ferrets, I urge you to seek out your local ferret shelter, or ferret club. Making contacts within this community can be an invaluable resource. Even though I am so far from home, and cannot return, I know that Dookie had lots of love, and the very best of care, before he passed. My friends are the greatest, and I wish that I could hug them all right now. Thank you all. Tracy, missing the Fuzzy Bunch (-1) [Posted in FML issue 3178]