31\2 years ago I heard that there was a ferret at the pound - I couldn't sleep that night and the next day I went to the pound to see for myself - The pound workers pointed to a cage as they said "You like them things ??!! They stink!!" I looked in the cat cage and there in the corner I saw the biggest, skinniest, ferret I had ever seen - He was so sad looking I wanted to cry but I was too mad - The pound worker was still talking about how nasty ferrets were - I didn't answer her just took the poor boy up front, paid $50.00 and took him home - I really thought I was probably taking him home to die but at least he would die in a home not a dark cold cage - On the way home him licked me, then bit the crud out of me, then went to sleep on my lap - We named him Slim Shady - When we got home he started eating everything in site....ferret food, dog food, what ever - He never stoppped eating and within 3 months we had to change his name to Fatboy Slim - He was HUGE almost 3 x's bigger than any of the full grown MF ferrets I had come in contact with - No tattoos on him - Not much personality - I would feel a couple of licks on my ankle and then a bite - I would look down to find him looking up at me with wide happy eyes - I couldn't get mad - He didn't know how to play and he thought it was funny so I just learned to pick my foot up as soon as I felt a lick - He was very gentle with the other kids - He was a gentle, loving, father figure for my babies Junior and Joey - He went to the hopital with Sally everytime she had to have surgery - He gave us all so much - A few months ago he started getting slower and much fatter - The vet said he was very old and his heart didnt sound good so for the past month I have know time was short - Tuesday it was obvious his breathing was getting more labored - I knew the time had come - I fixed him a last meal of turkey babyfood with broth - He lick up every last bit - I took him to the vet and held & loved him while he drifted off and away - Sandy please watch out for my big boy - And please help him find Stinky, Junior and Sally - I know they will be so glad to see him - He's a great snuggle buddy !!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Slim, for the time you spent with us and the life lessons you taught us - Mindy, Joey and Lucy [Posted in FML issue 3553]