Hi Kristine (I'm ccing this to the FML as well) It is with great sadness that I write to let you know that "Frankie" a foster with the Alberta Ferret Society and a Secret Santa Recipient on your Giving Tree had to be helped to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday November 5th. Frankie, along with his cagemate Misty, was 7 years old when he was surrendered to us. He was fighting several medical challenges and because of his age and physical condition at the time of arrival we were taking it slow and treating on a priority basis so as not to over stress him with too much testing and treatment all at once. He was doing so well and three weeks after arriving and making it through dental surgery, blood testing, x-rays, treatment for infection, medicated baths and his first lupron injection our vet felt he was finally strong enough to get a distemper vaccination. We don't know if it was a reaction to the vaccine or something else but two days after his vaccination Frankie developed a raging case of diarrhea and stopped eating totally. Nothing we, or the vets, did seemed to help and he lost almost half of his body weight (which wasn't much to begin with) in just over a week. We finally, at our vets recommendation, made the decision to let him go. For those who choose to be Frankie's Secret Santa thank you but sadly he will not be able to enjoy your gifts now. Please either choose another deserving shelter ferret or if you still wish to send a small gift we will pass them on to Frankie's cagemate and lifelong companion Misty. Perhaps it will be of some comfort to her. Barbara Gustafson Alberta Ferret Society President [log in to unmask] http://www.albertaferretsociety.com [Posted in FML issue 3595]