Last night around 1930, Major Burns departed this life for the healing he so desperately needed, but which could only be found on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. He had been sick a long time. He'd suffered from Insulinoma surgery, and a resulting cataract on his left eye. He'd had one, then another adrenalectomy, the second one including a splenectomy, after his cancer had metastasized there. He seemed much better these past few weeks, until a few days ago, becoming listless, and appearing to have a distended abdomen. We were scheduled to do another ultrasound on Tuesday, when he became incontinent last night, and looked up at me as if to say, "Daddy, its time for me to go." He was in my arms as he slipped away at the vet's office. The vet asked if I wanted to be there as he helped him over the bridge, and I replied, "No, I don't want to be here at all. However, I'm GOING to be here! I want Major to die with dignity, and looking at the face of the man who loved him to the point of being obnoxious to non-ferret people. I should not cry....he was ready, and suffering, but for me, I cry. He was my first, he still is. Major Burns came to me in December 1995, as my first rescue. Discovered in an apartment parking lot, the director of the animal shelter, a personal friend, said, "I know you've had experience with ferrets. I have one here that isn't doing too well, and thought you might take him for a few days, help him get settled down, until I can get him placed." At the time I was ferretsitting two of my son's ferrets, and Fred thought maybe Major would do better in their company until he was adopted. That's what I thought Fred thought!!! What Fred was really thinking was......"SUCKER". Anyway, Major came and finally got adopted last night by all of his brothers and sisters who've already gone to the bridge. I hope he'll be accepted by the likes of Sandee and Kodo. He's always been the "alpha" ferret around here, and, well, being a MAJOR and all, he may just want to take over! Just find him a white reebok, slightly worn, and he'll be happy. He has his favorite pajama bottoms already with him, so he'll be ok. I don't know about his Dad, though. I didn't know this would hurt so much. Thank you to all who've counseled me about his various illnesses these past few years, you know who you are. Special thanks to Dick and Joan , and to Bruce Williams for encouraging me, and affirming he was getting the care he needed. I'm convinced he lived two years longer because of your advice. Major Burns, you be a good boy now. Your daddy will miss you. ---Tuck Kemper --- [log in to unmask] --- EarthLink: It's your Internet. [Posted in FML issue 3528]