I can fully understand the sad hurt feeling that people experience when they lose a beloved fuzzy. They grab on to your heart so quickly and tear a piece of it with them when they leave. Please though look at this scenario. You have met someone that loves you. They take you into their home and make it yours. Then one day they don't come to let you out of your room. You are so disappointed and just lay and stare at the door waiting till your best friend comes to play. This goes on for days. Now you do not have any food or water and don't feel so well. Finally this wonderful person opens the door and gives you a drink and a bowl of food. You are so hungry but still just want to be cuddled. Your best friend says "sorry, I don't have time for you any more". You friend comes back in a few more days and puts you into a box. You are hoping they give you a little drink before the trip, because you didn't know you had to ration the last one. When the box is opened you are in a strange place with a lot of very strange smells and new people. You are very afraid, because all you have ever known is your best friend. Wait, your friend is leaving you. You are all alone in this strange place. These people seem nice enough they put you into a little cage that is clean and they talk nice to you, but they are not your best friend. Again you wait and stare at the door waiting for your friend. Weeks, maybe months go by and you have gotten kind of used to being here, but still need your best friend. One day a very nice person takes you out of your little cage and puts you in another box. This time you got a drink first and a little food for the trip. This is better but you are very afraid again. They have put you in your new house, with new toys and maybe a brother or sister to play with. There is lots of attention and loving again. This must be heaven. Someone loves you again and gives you the best life anyone could ask for. When you are very old or very sick you know you will be able to start your journey to the rainbow bridge in loving arms. This is the best case scenario in a dumped ferrets life. Many, many cases are much sadder. Even this case is heart wrenching. Please don't deny a little fuzzy their place in your heaven because it hurts you to say good bye. It hurts them even more if you aren't there. Pat and my little band of Merry Makers [Posted in FML issue 3779]