Sandee, It came too soon. He wasn't even 4 years old yet. Mocha's been ill since February, has seen 3 vets, and been taking all kinds of meds. Apparently, it was his time. I prayed a few months ago for him to hold on a bit longer... I felt a year or two. It was not to be. Tuesday I had to help him to 'the bridge'. I have never been through a more agonizing event in my life. My heart goes out to all who have accompanied their babies at their last earthly moment. It was so quick...one second he was licking Ferretone, the next he was at the bridge. The tears have not stopped yet. Probably won't for a while. He was my 'alpha ferret'. He is the reason I love ferrets so much. He was the 'teacher of terrible tricks', the 'raisin runner', the 'educator or everything I didn't want the others to know', 'the flinger of flagyl' (wow, was he good at that). I am trying to remember the good and not the bad. I think it was Kat Parsons (if not, I'm sorry I credited the wrong person), who says "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened". Those are true words of reflection. And honestly, it's those words and the phone conversations (Thanks so much Alicia), and the company of a non-ferret owning friend that got me through all this ordeal. Sandee, please show him all the great spots for munchies and fun. And please show him where the plastic bags can be found. That was his favorite toy. He'd jump on the bag as if it attacked him and then run inside and 'beat the tar' out of from the inside. They wouldn't last long, so I hope there's a good supply up there. He was a very friendly ferret, so I think he'll make friends quickly. But Sandee, most of all, Please tell him how much I will always love him and miss him, and that his room mates miss him, too. Please, tell him I did everything I could to save him. Ok, here comes the waterfall. Thanks so much, Sandee. Angela and the Angels: Mocha (heavenly) Cocoa, Ted, Sassy (earthly) [Posted in FML issue 3827]