Hello, My name is Melissa and I have just rejoined after a very long absence. I live in North east Alabama. I have owned three ferrets previously..Jawa, Meeko and Yoda. Jawa and Meeko passed away in early 2000. Yoda was my last baby...and he passed away last month. He had an adrenal tumor in his right gland...he was also showing signs of the beginnings of insomila as well...so I opted to have him put to sleep on the operating table. It was a tough decision, but one I felt was for the best. The past month has been terribly lonely. I had made a promise to my husband, "no more ferrets" as we have two boxers, and he felt that is enough. But I have really missed Yoda this past month. This weekend I received a call from a boxer rescue person who lives in a nearby town. She knows I have had ferrets because we are both members of a boxer list..and she had received a phone call from a woman who had found a ferret on the side of the road while she was coming home from church. They had no idea what to do with it, or what ferrets eat or anything else. She had tried to call several vets and the humane society with no luck. So they thought of me. I called the lady who found him and told her I could take him until a home could be found. She was overjoyed as she had cats and had no clue how to care for the ferret. I told her to feed him cat food..and we could meet. I met her at a small park in the town she lives in. They opened their hatch, to show me the ferret. He had eaten a big bowl of food. I stuck my fingers through the wire front to see what he would do. He just lowered his head so I could scratch him. I decided to go ahead and take him out. They had been afraid of him....and as I lifted him out the guy asked me if they would bite. I said, "yes, they can and it hurts, but this one looks so sweet." That ferret is the sweetest thing I have ever in my life seen. He loves to be held and petted. My other three liked to be petted for a short time, but they had things to do and socks to steal. This one prefers the petting. I named him Binks on the way home and contemplated what to do with him. The couple were almost positive he was dumped, as it was in area pets are regularly abandoned. I'm still going to post signs later this week just to be sure. I have since clipped his nails, given him a bath..and lots of love and attention. He's been eating and drinking like a pig!! He had made himself at home in Yoda's cage and now he gets into the hammock. At first I don't think he knew what it was. He will be going in on Friday to get his shots, since I'm not sure if he has had any or not. I think he is a young adult. He has alot of spunk and his teeth are in great condition. He reminds me of Yoda when he was young...and I can't help but think Yoda had some part in Binks finding me. Even if he is an escapee and his owner claims him, I'm so happy he found his way to me and was spared a terrible fate out in the open. My husband has agreed to allowing me to keep him if noone claims him. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think this experience is proof that our pets are still part of our lives even after their physical self leaves us. melissa and Binks, [log in to unmask] alabama,usa [Posted in FML issue 3609]