In memory of my little 'fur-challenged' kid, Elway Ehrless, 1995(?) to August 22, 2002, 9:50am - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "This feels soooooo good", Elway thought to himself. He had been chilly and was so glad that dad picked him up and cuddled him. He felt so warm and secure snuggled in daddys sweatshirt being held so close. He looked up as his hooman dad rubbed the top of his head and gave him a kiss. Elway just closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling. The warmth soon became so incredible. As if he was basking in the warmth of paradise. He didn't want to move at all. He felt so relaxed, so comfortable. He had not felt THIS good in years. He didn't want to stir but suddenly felt an itch. He writhed and moved around trying to relieve it, but it was unbearable. Finally he reached back to bite at the area that caused him so much discomfort. "Blech! Yech .. ptooie!! Oh, this damn fur is enough to dry anyones mouth out. Yech!!" Suddenly something in his mind didn't register. "Fur??? FUR????" opening his eyes in bewilderment, Elway looked down at his rear end and tail. Sure enough, Elway had sported a new coat of fur. "I've got fur' he yelled, "Hey everybody, I've got fur !!!!" The little sable girl standing by him began to giggle, "Of course you do, silly! All ferrets have fur. At least the ones I've seen here do". Elway tried to explain, "No, I didn't have fur . . well, I did at one time but lost it when I got sick. Now I have fur again!". The little sable kept giggling. "Well, all the ferrets here at the Rainbow Bridge have fur". Elway stopped. The Rainbow Bridge? It .. it .. it was true! Such a place DID exist. He had heard his hooman dad talk about it, but didn't know whether to believe him or not. It was said all ferrets who went there became healthy again. It was true !!! Elway was suddenly pounced upon by the rest of the Kewlkritter group who had left some time ago. A few Elway remembered. Others he knew because his human told him stories about them and the Bridge. Simon, the blind one, could see again. Putsie and Carri Jo, the two sickly older girls were in wonderful health. Elway began running a dooking with all the rest. Something he normally had little energy to do. Elway suddenly stopped. He had been so overcome with joy and energy that he had forgotten about his hooman on earth. A tear fell from his eyes thinking about the man he knew as 'Dad'. How he may never see him again, never be held by him again. Elway thought of the Rainbow Bridge story his hooman had told him. He remembered that it said the animals would wait for their hoomans at the Bridge and go on together from there. "Yeah, if THIS part is true ... then it must ALL be true!!" Elway cast his eyes upward. "Daddee, I wish you could hear me. It's true .. it's all true. We'll be here waiting for you ... " On earth, a ferret dad cuddles cradling a limp lifeless shell. Tears in his eyes he holds the hairless fert. Tears fall on the lifeless form. He felt Elways final sigh after he had kissed his head. He thought of the time they had spend together. Almost 2 years since he had brought Elway home from the shelter. Elway had been though so much. Adrenal, insulinoma .. there were other problems. "Rest in peace baby....". His heart was aching, but happy in the knowledge that Elway had not seemed to suffer. He thinks about the Rainbow Bridge story. How animals are returned to health. How they will someday reunite with the humans who loved them on earth. His mind pictures the kids who have already left. Happy, healthy, running and playing. He thinks of how Elway would look with his new black sable coat ... and hopes that it is all true. Kevin B and the Way Kewl Kritter Crew Prayers to the ill and those who have gone before us. Hug your fuzzies while you can, hold them in your heart when you can't. [Posted in FML issue 3884]