Fuzz Tail, the ferret, wanted to be home for Christmas. The tree was so much fun to climb, and there were ornaments to stash, candy canes to taste and presents to steal. Oh, how she loved the presents, the boxes, and the piles of wrapping paper to snorkel through. Her mouth was watering at the thought of all the extra treats, even if she was caught doing a fuzzy no-no. She sure missed her warm morning gravy and her persons snuggles, and her furry room mates. She knew it was a bad idea to run outside that day, but it was just too tempting for a curious fert to resist. The little boy hadn't meant to let her out, or make her run to hide when he yelled. She couldn't remember when she'd become lost, but knew it was a fact that she was out of her element. It was starting to get dark and cold. It was time, she thought, to find a place to pass the night. There were big scary things out here in the woods, and she needed a spot to hole up in. She found a sheltered hollow filled with fragrant dried leaves, and curled up to sleep. That empty feeling in her middle threatened to keep her awake, but she was so exhausted, she fell asleep shivering from the cold. In her dreams visions of her persons smiling face, her warm sleep sack, all her buddies to snuggle and all the crunchies stashed in her hidey holes kept appearing. When she would reach out for them with her paw, they would disappear, and this made her cry out. Where was her loving person? Where did her sleepy sack and crunchies go? Where were her furry friends? She missed them all so much. She woke whimpering for all that she had lost. It was a new day, and she decided to search for something to eat, after she took care of the necessary. The trouble with the outdoors was it had no corners. She eventually found some berries the birds had missed, and at least it took away some of the ache in her stomach. She kept hoping to see home just around the next bend. She felt like she had wandered forever, but she couldn't seem to remember which way to go. All to soon it was growing dark again, and starting to snow. She looked and looked for a place to lay her head. Everywhere she turned, she could find no shelter from the cold night air. Finally she saw a large pine tree, and decided it would have to do, she couldn't walk much farther. She started to shiver violently as she curled up among the pine needles. She started to drift off, wishing with all her might that she could find her warm safe home. She thought of all the love she'd been shown, and how very, very much she missed her person. As the luminous snow flakes floated to the ground in the pale moonlight, she wished again to find her special person, and closed her eyes. Part two tomorrow. Sandy and Fuzzy Dojo Thank you Bryan. [Posted in FML issue 3276]