I just want to cry. On Saturday morning I went to our local animal shelter to check the health and ststus of a light sable male that was picked up and was featured as the Pet of The Week. He is an older boy and could use a little fattening up but otherwise is in good health. While there I noticed another male ferret in the next cage that was picked up the day before as a stray. He was on the thin side and about 2 years old judging from his teeth condition. He had cataracts in both eyes and was bald on the tail and had thinning fur. I knew that he would not find a home and checked on when I could pick him up. He was to be released from stray ststus this morning. Now normally animal control here in Fairbanks calls me before they put one down so I can pick them up if I have room. I called this morning just to make sure and to make arrangments to pick him up and I was told that he had been put down. I was heart sick and they were very sorry for the over sight. This little nameless one had obviously not been to healthy and was a dark eyed white. With the cataracts in his eyes they almost looked light blue. I held him only for a minute on Saturday but felt he needed love. Maybe it was just my overly tender heart for homeless children of fur, (I think they all of them need to be loved or else they would not be where they are.) I knew that I would probably have him till he died, but that was fine. With 7 ferrets already needing surgery for adrenal and or insulinoma I did not need another vet bill but I was not going to let him die. Somehow I would have found a way and would have added him to my list for surgery. He would have been bumped up because of the male adrenal thing so that would have moved one of my females down, but my male adrenals take priority. Anyways, take a minute and hug all your little ones for him and thank God that they are not where he has been and that he is in a better place. Maybe Peek A Boo and Bandit can be coaxes away from the All you can eat Raisin Bar to welcome this little man home. Sandee, feel free to give him a fitting name. Diana and The Ferret Farm [Posted in FML issue 3419]