It is with a heavy heart we all say farewell to the "Amazing McKenzie FerretWise" The gentle man of silver mitt graced the doorways (the first time) of Ferret Wise in 1995, a toss up ferret from Burlington ,VT. We found placement with a family and 18 year old shortly after-- 30 days later they returned him for refund because the daughter ( who supposedly knew ferrets from working at pets store & volunteering at local shelter) was afraid when he war danced - and felt she was being attacked. A somewhat depressed boy now - he was then placed in a second adoptive situation with a feline loving person who made visits more than 3 times to the shelter. Later we would find this was not such a wonderful placement- he was being fed jelly beans, was allowed to drink cleaning solvents and become ill, etc. We were dismayed at the lack of care or lack of interest poor McKenzie would survive. Finally several years later a vet called- McKenzie had been dropped off and a disposal order issued when tests revealed surgery warranted for stomach mass. The vet knew ( microchip ID) he was ours - McKenzie returned home. We were elated this boy hang in long enough to find his way home. McKenzie stayed at Ferret Wise ate, and healed severe stomach ulcers then went into permanent foster care. He started to thrive, then -- the foster home was lost-- family tragedy robbed him of hi comfort zone. Hospice Mom Mary S stepped in - and McKenzie was transferred to her care. His medical care administered by Dr. Lisa who oversaw other hospice ferrets too! Mckenzie - the gentle lad who never tired of bestowing loving kisses was home - for good! It was about 8 months later after regaining weight and a wonderful coat that McKenzie started to fail-- tests revealed a nasty hairball and surgery was performed . McKenzie thrived a full big boy with gorgeous coat who loved all and still bestowed kisses on all who would allow! Age would soon show up first in a cataract, ( never the less in a frolic event that summer he would place in the top ten ) then later in insulinoma - but McKenzie still rallied -- "never say die" - must have been his motto. We joked that he had more lives than a cat-- and through the pain, neglect of it all- he loved people, not a harmful bone in that precious boys body. Last week McKenzie was displaying unusual seizure episodes, not typical low blood sugar symptoms. He had xrays which showed a heart condition. These episodes continued, though he was started on digoxin (sp?) . On Thursday he spent the day at the vets -- and it was thought he expired in her arms at 10:30 AM -- she laid him on the table- no heartbeat. The a moment later- one breath, then another-- McKenzie wasn't giving it up-- he was not ready ! McKenzie came home on Thursday, Friday found him alright until the wee hours on Sat AM. It was time- the heart was giving him too much pain- hospice Mom Mary administered oral morphine which provided about 50 minutes of relief then again the pan returned. This was too much and the determination was made to spare him more pain in the end. McKenzie's final curtain call was at 3 AM, September 30th. He is greatly missed by hospice Mom Mary who cuddled, held , fed and nursed him -- and is missing those 'Kenzie kisses. He is missed as well by all the Ferret Wise folks who were lucky enough to share his company, hugs, kisses and cuddles. His space will never be filled... our amazing little man..... will not be forgotten. please visit our site at: www.ferretwise.org [Posted in FML issue 3192]